Explainer | What Kaizer Chiefs need to do to reach CAF group stage

Kaizer Chiefs face a decisive 90 minutes on Friday as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Zambia’s Red Arrows and secure a place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Amakhosi host Red Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 23 October, at 18:00, knowing their continental campaign is on the line.

A goal down after the first leg, Kaizer Chiefs must find a way past the Zambian side while remaining alert to the threat of an away goal.

What Kaizer Chiefs need to do

Red Arrows won the first leg 1-0, giving them a narrow advantage heading into the return fixture.

Here is how the different results could affect Kaizer Chiefs’ qualification hopes:

• Kaizer Chiefs win 1-0: The aggregate score would be level at 1-1. The tie would go to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout
• Kaizer Chiefs win 2-0: Amakhosi would qualify with a 2-1 aggregate victory
• Kaizer Chiefs win 2-1: The aggregate score would be 2-2, but Red Arrows would advance under the away-goals rule
• Kaizer Chiefs win 3-1: Kaizer Chiefs would qualify with a 3-2 aggregate victory
• Kaizer Chiefs draw or lose: Red Arrows would progress to the group stage

Why keeping a clean sheet is crucial

The away-goals rule adds another layer of pressure for Kaizer Chiefs.

Because Red Arrows scored once at home in the first leg, an away goal in Durban could prove decisive if the aggregate score is level.

For example, a 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs victory would leave the teams level at 2-2 overall. Red Arrows would progress because they scored in South Africa, while Kaizer Chiefs failed to score in Zambia.

That means a 2-0 victory is enough to send Kaizer Chiefs through, while a 2-1 win would not be sufficient.

If Red Arrows score twice, Kaizer Chiefs would need to win by at least two goals to qualify automatically.

Match details

• Fixture: Kaizer Chiefs vs Red Arrows
• Competition: CAF Confederation Cup, second preliminary round, second leg
• Date: Friday, 23 October
• Kick-off: 18:00
• Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
• First-leg result: Red Arrows 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Tickets are available through Computicket and at Shoprite and Checkers outlets nationwide for R80, while hospitality tickets are available at R1 699 and R2 899.

Suite tickets can be purchased through the Moses Mabhida Stadium hospitality team by emailing MMS.Hospitality@durban.gov.za or calling 031 322 3115.

Will Kaizer Chiefs do enough to progress to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage?