HEARTBREAK IN ISMAILIA: Chiefs crushed by Zamalek as continental dream ends

It was a night of high drama and ultimate despair for Kaizer Chiefs, whose CAF Confederation Cup journey came to a grinding halt following a 2-1 defeat to Zamalek SC at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Saturday night.

Despite a valiant second-half fightback, the Betway Premiership giants finished third in Group D, missing out on the knockout stages by the narrowest of margins.

The match began in a cauldron of noise at the Suez Canal Stadium. The first 45 minutes were defined by a series of tactical fouls and stop-start play, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. Brandon Petersen was called into action early, making a crucial save from an Oday Dabbagh long-range effort in the 26th minute to keep the scores level.

Chiefs had their moments, most notably a stinging 22nd-minute shot from Makabi Lilepo that was parried by El Mahdi Soliman. However, the half ended 0-0, with tension visible as yellow cards were issued to Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe.

The Second Half Explosion By Both Zamalek and Chiefs

The game burst into life in the 53rd minute when Zamalek broke the deadlock. Naser Mansy delivered a pinpoint cross into the danger zone, and Juan Alvina was there to head home from close range. Alvina’s celebration earned him a yellow card, but the damage was done.

Chiefs’ troubles deepened in the 72nd minute. Shortly after a delay for an injury to Siphesihle Ndlovu, Zamalek’s substitute Abdalla El Said found the bottom left corner with a clinical right-footed shot, doubling the hosts’ lead and seemingly killing off the game.

The Lilepo Lifeline

Refusing to go down without a fight, Amakhosi struck back just three minutes later. Lebohang Maboe turned provider, whipping in a corner that found Makabi Lilepo, who buried his header into the bottom right corner.

With the score at 2-1, Chiefs threw everything at the Egyptian giants. Chiefs introduced Mfundo Vilakazi and Dillan Solomons (replacing Given Msimango) to search for the equaliser that would have changed their destiny.

In a frantic final ten minutes, 18-year-old Vilakazi nearly became the hero, seeing one long-range effort saved and another fly agonisingly wide in the 88th minute. Despite the referee adding six minutes of stoppage time, the equaliser remained elusive.

The result, combined with Al Masry’s 2-0 win over Zesco United at the Suez Stadium also on Saturday, creates a nightmare scenario for Chiefs.

After laying siege to their Zambian visitors, Karim Bambo’s 63rd-minute volley and a late goal from Salah Mohsen were enough to ensure Egyptian supremacy in Group D as both of the nation’s representatives advanced.

While Amakhosi finish level on 10 points with Al Masry, they are officially eliminated due to an inferior goal difference.

Final Group D Table