Chiefs Throwing Away Their Home Advantage In CAF Confed Cup?

Kaizer Chiefs vs Zamalek. Photo: Gallo Images / Philip Maeta

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya has opened up on whether Amakhosi are shooting themselves in the foot by taking their home games in the CAF Confederation around the country.

The strategy of most teams in CAF tournaments is to prioritise winning home matches, making their home stadiums a fortress, which has counted as an advantage on the continent.

A lot of Mamelodi Sundowns’ success in the CAF Champions League in recent years has been because of capitalising on home ground advantage.

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The likes of Al Ahly and other big clubs, particularly in North Africa, are also known for not compromising when it comes to playing CAF matches at home, as they view the games on home soil as a must-win, regardless of the opposition.

There is an argument that Chiefs are losing their home advantage in the CAF Confederation Cup, as they’ve played so far all their home matches in alternative venues such as Peter Mokaba Stadium, when they hosted Zamalek this past weekend, in a game that ended 1-1.

Amakhosi played their home games in the preliminary rounds against Kabuscorp and AS Simba at Dobsonville Stadium.

Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr indicated that they would have liked to continue playing at Dobsonville Stadium, which attracted healthy crowds, but unfortunately, the stadium is not accredited for the games in the group stages.

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Soccer Laduma spoke to Ndlanya about whether moving the home games around affects the Glamour Boys players, particularly in the CAF.

“No, not exactly. I think their intention is to bring the games to the people, you see. Because Kaizer Chiefs are loved by a lot of people, so to take the games to Polokwane or Durban is a good idea,” Ndlanya told the Siya crew.

“Football is a different ball game; you can win it everywhere. It’s not a question of you’re in Jo’burg we gonna win, no, no. It’s not an excuse at all,” Ndlanya added.

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