Kaizer Chiefs gear up for a 12th season in African club competitions next year

Chiefs exited the group stage of the tournament this season, despite securing a solid 10 points across their six fixtures, and they aim to advance further on this occasion.

They became South Africas inaugural participants in the modern CAF Champions League back in 1993, overcoming Botswanas Lobatse Gunners in the preliminary round, only to fall to Egypts mighty Zamalek in the third phase.

In 2001, amid their iconic ‘Vat Alles’ campaign, they captured their debut African honour by claiming the discontinued CAF Cup Winners’ Cup with a victory over Angolas InterClube in the decisive match.

The side also progressed to the 2020/21 CAF Champions League final after delivering a superb performance to defeat Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals.

However, they were subdued by Pitso Mosimanes Al Ahly following Happy Mashianes sending off near the close of the initial half.

Frankly, they have not come near another final since that point, regularly bowing out in the initial stages because the club paid little regard to the tournaments, opting for backup squads.

Merely in recent times, as African events have grown more profitable, has their passion been rekindled.

Nonetheless, they hold a 53% success rate in all African club encounters, placing them among the top South African outfits.

However, the CAF Confederation Cup represents their greatest challenge, featuring eight triumphs, eight setbacks, and two stalemates.

Navigating beyond the group stage would convince them of a genuine shot at the final, given their prowess in clinching narrow knockout battles across the continent.

Kaizer Chiefs in African club competition matches