A new achievement was added to the history books of African football. Both Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch secured double qualification in CAF Confederation Cup. Both teams will be representing South Africa side by side in the CAF. Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch secured their victories through emphatic home victories on Sunday 26 October.
At the Dobsonville Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs produced their best display of the campaign to overcome AS Simba of DR Congo by 3-1 on aggregate after goalless 1st leg in Lubumbashi. Amakhosi struck early through Etiosa Ighodaro (2), followed by Zwitha Kwinika (14) and Glody Lilepo (25’) to put the tie beyond reach before halftime. Simba pulled one back through Moussa Kanda early in 2nd half but Cedric Kaze’s side managed the game superbly to secure progression. Kaze hailed his players afterwards: “We can make history this weekend and we did. The team showed maturity and togetherness ..
this is a big step for Kaizer Chiefs” he said post-match. The result caps strong continental start for Chiefs despite their recent 3-1 domestic defeat to Sekhukhune United which ended their unbeaten league run.
Soccer can be a tough sport, but both respective teams were able to pull through. Through talent, hard training and stamina the opposing teams from the Congo and other parts of Africa were beaten and will have a difficult time recovering. The atmosphere at Dobsonville Stadium was erupting with excitement and anticipation at the results. South Africans would have been jubilant. The teams that made the winning scores would have experienced the happiness and cheer of the spectators. Kaizer Chiefs team mates, Amakhosi, Kwinika, and Lilepo among their other team mates accomplished the success of a life time along with the Stellenbosch team. This was a balancing act to achieve success. In the end South Africa is now sending two teams to the finals. The competition thickens would Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Benin and Algeria having also scored a place.
What’s happening on the pitch (1st half)
- (5) 1 – 0 : Thalente Mbatha opens the scoring
- (26) 2 – 0 : Oswin Appollis doubles the lead finishing after Aubrey Modiba cut back.
Live group C picture & direct qualification math
- Benin 17 pts (GD +5)
- South Africa 15 (+3)
- Nigeria 14 (+3)
- Rwanda 11 (-1)
- With Bafana 2 – 0 up at HT, their in game total 18 pt (GD improves to +5). Direct qualification scenarios now revolve around the simultaneous Nigeria Benin match in Uyo:
- If South Africa win & Benin fail to win (draw or lose) – South Africa top Group C (points or tiebreakers)
- If South Africa win & Benin draw – both land on 18 pt per CAF rules, the order’s decided by overall goal difference then goals scored (then further criteria if still level)
- If Benin win: they reach 20 pt & top the group regardless.
For one team to score against the other, requires a lot in terms of talent, skill and hard-core training. Competitiveness is the name of the game. Focusing on being ahead of the other team is the hardest and most complex part of the sport. This is true of both teams. The balance of the scales may tip during a match depending on how each team circle, obtain and guard the ball from each other. The focus on talent and training is the key to building up skill depending on how the sport is played. Each football team needs to score a goal between the goal posts guarded by the opposing team.
South Africa now holds the key to obtaining victory through the two football teams chosen. The whole focus of Professional football is to score more goals than your opponent. Now that South Africa has a place for at CAF Cup there will be much for the country to focus on when it comes to winning.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
