Kaizer Chiefs have successfully secured a coveted spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, marking an end to a 12-year wait for their fans. The Soweto giants achieved this by defeating AS Simba with a dominant 3-1 victory at Dobsonville Stadium in the second leg, following a goalless draw in Lubumbashi last weekend. This win gives the Amakhosi a significant confidence boost and signals their readiness to make a substantial mark on the continental stage once again, after their last deep run ended in the Last 16 against ASEC Mimosas.

The victory was particularly notable as it was Kaizer Chiefs' first after a streak of three draws and a defeat to Stellenbosch FC. The team wasted no time in the second leg, with all three goals coming in the first half. Forward Etiosa Ighodaro opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed by defender Zitha Kwinika's strike in the 14th minute. Glody Lilepo then extended the lead to 3-0 in the 26th minute, effectively sealing the qualification for Amakhosi.

Coach Cedric Kaze was full of praise for his team's performance and the effectiveness of his attacking duo. “We are very happy to qualify, to go through to the group stages,” Kaze told SuperSport TV, highlighting the fans' joy and the team's right mentality from the first minute. He specifically lauded the combination of Ighodaro and Lilepo, emphasizing their ability to create opportunities and convert them. Kaze noted that having a physical striker like Ighodaro in the box, coupled with Lilepo's speed, provided different crucial options for the team.

Etiosa Ighodaro, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in August from Mamelodi Sundowns, opened his goal-scoring account for the club with this crucial strike, just a week after his debut. His Congolese teammate, Glody Lilepo, found his second goal in 12 games this season, building on his success from the previous season where he was Kaizer Chiefs’ top goal-scorer with 10 goals in 33 games. The CAF Confederation Cup group stage draw is scheduled for November 3, 2025, and will be hosted in Johannesburg.