Chiefs midfielder issues warning ahead of Zesco CAFCC clash

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu has issued a stark ultimatum to his teammates ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die CAF Confederation Cup clash against Zesco United: Find your fighting spirit, or face the consequences.

The Glamour Boys landed in Zambia knowing that their continental campaign is teetering on the edge. Sitting third in Group D with a solitary point from two matches, the margin for error has officially vanished. With group leaders Al Masry already sitting pretty on six points, Ndlovu believes the time for “pretty football” is over.

Reflecting on the midweek 1-0 grind against Golden Arrows—a result that moved Amakhosi to third in the domestic standings—Ndlovu highlighted the importance of winning “by hook or by crook.”

“That [Arrows win] was the first thing we needed as a team,” Ndlovu told club media. “Preparations weren’t smooth; we had to grind… you needed to put that edge into your game.”

For the former Man of the Match winner, the trip to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is less about tactics and more about “stronger minds.”

“If you don’t win a game on Sunday, it’s another story. We know we’re going to face external factors that could be obstacles… but when you are fighting as a collective, everything is possible.”

The Zambian Hoodoo For Chiefs

History is not on the side of the Soweto giants. Zesco United boasts a formidable home record, having never lost to South African opposition in four previous meetings on Zambian soil.

To make matters worse, co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef are navigating a minor injury crisis. The squad is notably missing the steel of Sibongiseni Mthethwa and the creative spark of Gaston Sirino.

Personal Ambition

Ndlovu, fresh off a stellar midweek performance, is clearly positioning himself as the heartbeat of this transitional Chiefs side. Driven by personal goals and a “fight or flight” mentality, he is hoping his individual work rate will be infectious.

“I know that if you are fighting as an individual, the rest can copy that and join,” he concluded.

Kick-off in Ndola is scheduled for 15:00 on Sunday. For Amakhosi, it isn’t just a game; it’s a test of their character under the continental spotlight.