Chiefs went out in the group stages of the competition this campaign, despite earning a healthy 10 points from their six games, and will want to go deeper this time around.
They were South Africa’s first-ever entrants into what is now the CAF Champions League when they featured in 1993, beating Lobatse Gunners from Botswana in the first round, before going out to Egyptian giants Zamalek at the third stage.
They claimed their maiden continental title in 2001 during the ‘Vat Alles’ season when they lifted the now-defunct CAF Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Angola’s InterClube in the final.
The team also reached the final of the CAF Champions League in 2020/21 after seeing off Wydad Casablanca in a masterful display in the semi-finals.
But they were outgunned by Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly after Happy Mashiane’s red card late in the first half.
In truth, they have not been close to another final since then, often going out in the early rounds as the club failed to give the competitions much attention, playing second-string sides.
It is only latterly, when it has become more lucrative to compete in African competitions, that their interest has been piqued again.
Still, they have a 53% win percentage in all African club competition matches, which is one of the best among South African sides.
But it is the CAF Confederation Cup where they have struggled most, with eight wins, eight defeats and two draws.
If they can get through the group stages, they will believe they have a real chance of making a final, as they are a side that knows how to win tight knockout contests on the continent.
Kaizer Chiefs in African club competition matches
