Kaizer Chiefs book place in Caf Champions League final

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTH African football giants Kaizer Chiefs, who are home to the Zimbabwean duo of Khama Billiat as well as Willard Katsande have booked their place in the final of the 2020/21 Confederation of African Football Champions League after they secured a 1-0 aggregate win over Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.

Amakhosi carried a one goal advantage heading into yesterday’s second leg at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg after they beat Wydad 1-0 in the first leg played in Morocco last Saturday, with the only goal of the match coming from Serbian striker Samir Nurković in the 34th minute.

Yesterday, Chiefs were resolute in defence as their opponents piled on the pressure. Wydad had 68 percent ball possession, 18 goal attempts, of which seven were on target but could not breach the Chiefs defence.

Chiefs will now meet whoever won between Egyptian giants Al Ahly Sporting Club and Esperance of Tunisia in the final to be played at the Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco on 17 July. Al Ahly and Esperance met in Cairo last night with Pitso Mosimane’s men carrying a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

By booking their place in the Caf Champions League, Chiefs became only the second South African club, along with Orlando Pirates, to reach the final of two different African Cup Competitions. Chiefs having previously appeared in and won the African Cup Winners Cup final in 2001.

Getting to the Caf Champions League final also means Chiefs have become the third South African club to do so, along with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

While Billiat is still recovering from injury, Katsande started and played the full 90 minutes in the two matches.

Billiat is looking to be fully fit for the final and should he make it on time, it will be the second time that he plays in the decider of Africa’s biggest club competition. The Warriors talisman won the Caf Champions League in 2016 with his former club Mamelodi Sundowns when they defeated Zamalek of Egypt 3-1 on aggregate. — @Mdawini_29