KAIZER Chiefs aim to avoid last year’s embarrassment of being booted out in the first round of the Caf Champions League.
Amakhosi travelled to Comoros Island on Friday to face Volcan de Moroni in the preliminary round of the competition.
Kick off at Stade Said Mohamed Chesikh, in Mitsamiouli today (2pm).
The Soweto giants seems to have learnt a great lesson from last season’s experience, where they got eliminated by Raja Casablanca of Morocco, who beat them 3-0 on aggregate.
This was after they had registered an easy 3-1 win on aggregate over unfashionable Botswana side Township Rollers in the preliminary round. Chiefs had a great league run at the time under then coach, Stuart Baxter, and their main priority was the championship.
Having achieved their target, Chiefs management decided to fully focus on continental glory, following the appointment of coach Steve Komphela as Baxter’s replacement at the start of season. Komphela’s charges are expected to easily reach the first round, considering that the league in Comoros only started last weekend. But Volcan will approach the game with their heads held high, having beaten highly rated team in their country, Elan Club, 3-1 in their opening league match.
Komphela will rely heavily on the experience of midfielders Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane to ensure they have an advantage ahead of the return leg scheduled for Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 February.
