Ntuthuko Maphumulo
No South African team has yet managed to win the African Cup Winners’ Cup, which is also known as the Mandela Cup.
This weekend Kaizer Chiefs trek to Tunisia to meet Club Africain in the semifinal second leg of this continental competition. Chiefs won the first leg 2-0 a few weeks ago through brilliant goals by Thabo Mooki, who has returned from an injury setback.
Before Chiefs left for Tunisia on Tuesday, coach Muhsin Ertugral did not mince his words: “It’s not going to be easy but we have to win this trophy for former president Nelson Mandela.”
Chiefs need a draw in Tunisia to be the first South African team to reach the final, but it could be a tall order in Tunisia.
Tunisia has three teams still participating in continental tournaments, with Esperance having reached the semifinals of the champions’ league and Etoile du Sahel competing in the Caf Cup. The latter reached the semifinals by knocking out Ajax Cape Town.
All eyes will be on Club Africain to turn the tie around if they are to advance to the finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Club Africain need to score twice to get back into the game, while one goal for Chiefs will be invaluable as away goals count “double” in this competition.
Club Africain should not be taken lightly as they knocked reigning champions Zamalek out of the competition.
On home soil they will be a tough proposition for the South Africans.