The Kaiser Chiefs team faced the need to overcome a deficit after a 1-0 defeat to Red Arrows from Zambia in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, which took place on Saturday.
The visitors conceded a goal in the 76th minute of the match at Levi Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, meaning they will have to work on themselves in the return match if they want to advance to the group stage.
Chiefs, who qualified through walkover in the first preliminary round, hoped to start their continental campaign positively. Instead, they return to South Africa needing a win after failing to hold off the hosts in the final minutes of the game.
This loss also compounds a difficult week for the Soweto giants, who drew 1-1 with Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership mid-week.
On the trip to Zambia, Chiefs made only one substitution: Luke Bartman replaced Vandile Dubu in attack. Due to a shortage of injured midfielders, Riv Froesler played again in the center of the field alongside Sibongiseni Mtethwa, as the visiting team sought to demonstrate disciplined play away from home.
Although Chiefs seemed to hold Red Arrows for most of the match, their inability to deal with a corner kick came at a high cost. The hosts capitalized on the corner kick in the 76th minute to open the scoring and gain a slight advantage before the return match.
For Chiefs, the late conceded goal will be particularly frustrating, given the importance of maintaining balance in this confrontation before the second leg. Now Amakhosi must quickly regroup and find a way to break down the Red Arrows' defense when the teams meet again at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, October 23rd.
Since a spot in the Confederation group stage is at stake, Chiefs will require more decisive play in front of goal, as well as an improvement in their defensive organization. The 1-0 scoreline keeps the contest open, but now the pressure is entirely on the Soweto side to succeed at home.