CAF Confederation Cup: Kaizer Chiefs suffer late heartbreak, Stellenbosch win at the death

Al Masry 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Egyptian side Al Masry in their CAF Confederation Cup Group D opener at the Suez Stadium on Sunday evening, conceding in the dying moments of the match.

The Soweto giants arrived in Egypt hampered by injuries to key attackers Glody Lilepo, Khanyisa Mayo, and Wandile Duba, while Aden McCarthy and Rushwin Dortley were also sidelined with fitness concerns. This forced coach Khalil Ben Youssef to recall Ashley Du Preez and Dillon Solomons to the starting lineup, with Paseka Mako and Given Msimango available from the bench

Chiefs started positively, showing no signs of being intimidated by the home crowd. They built several attacking moves, with Mduduzi Shabalala, Etiosa Ighodaro, and Thabo Cele linking well in the final third. Despite good possession and early pressure, the visitors struggled to convert their chances. Shabalala earned a free-kick in the 28th minute, but nothing came of it, and a late first-half effort involving Shabalala, Solomons, and Ighodaro was comfortably saved, leaving the scoreline goalless at halftime.

The second half saw Al Masry immediately apply pressure, forcing Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen into several important saves in the opening minutes. However, Petersen's heroics ended in misfortune in the 59th minute when he fouled Mahmoud Hamada in the box, allowing Rwanda international Bonheur Mugisha to convert the penalty and give the hosts the lead.

Chiefs responded quickly. Fresh substitutes Mfundo Vilakazi and Asanele Velebayi energized the attack, and two minutes after coming on, Vilakazi set up Dillon Solomons, who cut inside and slotted a low shot past Al Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Abdelbaky to level the score at 1-1.

As the game looked poised for a draw, a late lapse proved costly. In the 87th minute, Mohamed Hashem capitalized on a mis-timed clearance by Inacio Miguel to score the winner for the Egyptians in the dying minutes, leaving Chiefs in disbelief.

Stellenbosch FC 1-0 AS Otoho D'Oyo

Stellenbosch FC secured a late 1-0 win over AS Otoho D'Oyo in their CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a stoppage-time strike from substitute Ashley Cupido.

Steve Barker's men, forced to host the match in Polokwane as Western Cape venues didn't meet CAF requirements, were aiming for a strong start after brushing aside Equatorial Guinea's 15 de Agosto de Akonibe in the second preliminary round.

The match started slowly, with limited clear-cut chances. Stellenbosch's best early opportunity came in the 20th minute when Muzomuhle Khanyi fired a long-range effort wide. Otoho had a close call just before halftime when Bandiougou Diallo's free-kick hit the crossbar.

In the second half, both teams struggled to break the deadlock until Barker made three substitutions - Cupido, Thato Khiba, and Sanele Barns-injecting fresh energy. Cupido came close with a header before scoring the decisive goal in injury time, giving Stellies all three points.

The win puts Stellenbosch second in Group C, behind leaders CR Belouizdad, who beat Singida Black Stars earlier. 

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