Kaizer Chiefs are out of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup. They lost 3-2 on penalties to Zambian side Red Arrows on Friday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Chiefs won the second leg 1-0, which made the aggregate score 1-1. Red Arrows then won the shootout and booked their place in the group stage.
Amakhosi went into the match needing to overturn a 1-0 defeat from the first leg. They started on the attack, according to The South African.
Pule Mmodi won a corner inside the first minute. Mmodi and Reeve Frosler kept the play wide on both flanks as Chiefs tried to stretch the visitors.
Red Arrows defended deep and crowded the edge of their own box. Thulani Mabaso forced a save in the 12th minute, but clear chances were few.
Wandile Duba went down in the box in the 36th minute. His appeal for a penalty was waved away.
Just before half time, Frosler crossed to Mmodi at the far post. The winger’s header did not have enough power to worry the goalkeeper, and the teams went in at 0-0.
Chiefs pushed harder after the break. Faiz Abrahams fired over in the 47th minute, and Mmodi later curled a shot wide.
The goal came in the 66th minute. Substitute Mfundo Vilakazi swung in a free kick, and Bradley Cross beat his marker to head the ball inside the far post.
Cross was busy at the other end too. Moments after scoring, he made a clearance that stopped Red Arrows from hitting back.
Chiefs had chances to win the tie without penalties. In the 79th minute, Vilakazi ran down the right and set up Mduduzi Shabalala, who shot over from inside the box.
Five minutes later, substitute Ethan Chislett put Shabalala through on goal. His shot went straight at the goalkeeper.
Asanale Velebayi also missed the target late in the game. The score stayed 1-1 on aggregate, and the tie went to a shootout.
Goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma gave Chiefs hope when he saved the first Red Arrows kick. Shabalala and Vilakazi then scored their penalties.
Lebohang Maboe and Chislett both hit the crossbar, and Frosler had his kick saved. Red Arrows recovered to win the shootout 3-2 and end the Soweto club’s continental campaign.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.