Msimango: League and Confed Cup results are evidence of Chiefs progress
8th February 2026
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Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango says the team’s progress this season, especially in the Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup, is refreshing, judging by the stats.
Msimango, speaking ahead of today’s crucial CAF Confederation Cup game against Egyptian side Al Masry, was basing his assessment on the league, where the team has collected 30 points from 15 matches, compared to last season’s 33 points in 28 matches.
The team finished ninth last season and is currently third on the log and could reach the continental cup knockout phase today.
Msimango says this is progress.
"It is refreshing to see the improvement in the squad. From a stats perspective, where we were last season compared to where we are now, it has been a huge improvement. Defensively, we have secured quite a few clean sheets and we have won a number of games.
"We are in a positive frame of mind right now as a team."
Msimango, who has just returned frrom a long-term injury from last season, says this progress is also evident in some players’ performances this season, notably a youngster like Mfundo “Obrigado” Vilakazi, who is now a regular starter following his return from the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
In most leagues around the world and on the continent, success at the club level is measured by the national league championship and continental tournaments, with less focus on domestic cup competitions.
However, in SA football, knockout tournaments are always a main focus for fans, and Chiefs’ exit as defending Nedbank Cup champions has not been accepted.
"We are extremely disappointed to be honest. After playing the game we did and ending up losing the game is really disappointing for the entire team considering we went all the way last season. It's tough to take but we cannot dwell on that because we've got another crucial game coming up.
"We need to step up in this game against Al Masry and prove we deserve to be where we are as a team. We will not be defined by that Nedbank Cup defeat."
A 1-0 win or outscoring Al Marsy on the head-to-head statistic will be enough to seal Amakhosi’s passage to the next stage, irrespective of what happens in their final game away to Zamalek in Egypt next weekend.
Msimango, one of the leaders in the Amakhosi camp says it’ll mean a lot for this group of players to make history by going all the way in this competition...
