Kaizer Chiefs suffered a 2-1 defeat against Al Masry in their opening CAF Confederation Cup group stage match in Egypt, a result that has sparked significant discussion among coaches, former players, and national team selectors. Co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef expressed his belief that the team deserved at least a draw, highlighting the inexperience of over 80 percent of his players at the continental level. He emphasized that continental football demands greater focus and aggression, with matches often decided by small details and momentary lapses in concentration. Despite equalizing five minutes after conceding the first goal, a late defensive mistake allowed Al Masry to secure a win in the final two minutes.

Ben Youssef acknowledged the need for the team to learn from their mistakes, analyze the game, and focus on improvements. Looking ahead, he underscored the critical importance of their upcoming home fixture against Egyptian giants Zamalek, describing it as a must-win match for their qualification hopes. He recognized Zamalek as one of Africa's best teams with extensive continental experience, reinforcing the necessity for Kaizer Chiefs to avoid errors at home and collect maximum points.

Adding to the post-match analysis, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Junior Khanye critically questioned the intentions of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef regarding their player selections. Khanye was particularly surprised by the decision to start Ashley Du Preez, an attacker who has struggled for form this season, having only made three starts and failing to score. Du Preez had also been omitted from the match-day squad in the last three league games, leading Khanye to suggest that starting him in such a high-intensity, crucial away match indicated questionable motives or a