If there was a South African team that made a mockery of “North African hostility” in continental football last season, it was Orlando Pirates.
In four visits to the northern hemisphere of the continent — Algeria and Egypt twice each — Pirates returned home with three wins (two in the group stage and one in the quarter-final) and just one loss in the semi-final.
Sure, it may be argued that they lost the most important tie — the 3-2 aggregate defeat to Pyramids in Cairo — but the Buccaneers certainly held their own, almost proving that the days when southern teams feared their northern counterparts are long gone.
So, as Kaizer Chiefs return to continental group-stage football via the CAF Confederation Cup — for the first time since reaching the Champions League final in 2020 — they can take a leaf out of their arch-rivals Pirates’ book and be fearless against North African opponents.
Chiefs are in Group D, alongside the Egyptian duo Al Masry and Zamalek, and Zambian side Zesco United. Zamalek are the group favourites, followed by their compatriots Al Masry. But again, Chiefs cannot be deterred by those predictions. They need to hold their own, starting in the opener against the latter next Sunday at a venue and kick-off time yet to be announced.
A victory in this clash will not only help them settle into the group stage but also send a stern message to both Zamalek and Zesco about their intent to finish top of the group and reach the knockout rounds.
After all, it was a similar route that the Sea Robbers used to sail into the semi-final. They beat CR Belouizdad in their opening away match and ended the round-robin phase with a huge victory away to Africa’s Club of the Century, Al Ahly, finishing top of the group.
Pirates will be the first to admit they always had a trump card whenever they went north: Mohau Nkota.
The diminutive attacker, on his first trip to North Africa, shrugged off his nerves by scoring a winning brace against Belouizdad and a solo strike against MC Alger. Both matches were played in Algiers. Nkota also scored in the 3-2 defeat to Pyramids as Pirates fell short of reaching another Champions League final since 2013 or lifting the crown for the first time since 1995.
Sure, Chiefs might have their own ‘Nkota’, but both individuals and the collective must step up when it matters. Mduduzi Shabalala, notably, has been their best player in recent weeks, leading Chiefs’ domestic title charge and helping them qualify for the group stage.
As Amakhosi look to make an impression on the continent, all eyes will be on Shabalala to ensure his form continues in the group stage, starting against Al Masry.
It’s important for Shabalala to be at his best with every passing game, as that’s the only way he can ensure a place in Bafana Bafana’s final squad for the upcoming AFCON finals next month in Morocco.
The 21-year-old was left out of the squad that will face Zambia in an AFCON preparation match in Gqeberha on Saturday evening. But coach Hugo Broos explained that the omission was merely to give opportunities to new faces — Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa — and not because Shabalala is out of his plans.
However, he can’t do it alone. He needs the support of everyone around him, including the coaches and his teammates. Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef may have won their last three games across all competitions, but some critics remain unconvinced that they are the right men to lead Chiefs this season.
Given their continental experience — having assisted Nasreddine Nabi in guiding Young Africans to the Confederation Cup final — they now need to show their credentials as co-coaches by steering Amakhosi to the knockout stage.
It won’t be easy, which is why the players must adapt and understand that domestic and continental football are not the same. Africa is a jungle, and only the strongest — mentally, physically, and spiritually — survive.
Luckily for Chiefs, they don’t have to look far for inspiration. Their bitter rivals, Pirates, nearly achieved the improbable by going all the way last season. Hence, they must try to emulate that successful recipe.
