SOCCER
Ngwako Modjadji
Africa’s top guns are ready for fire when Kaizer Chiefs, Cup Winners’ Cup holders, take on the Egyptians of Al Ahly, Champions League title holders, in the African Super Cup first leg in Cairo on Friday.
The two teams are rated as among the best on the continent. Al Ahly were voted Africa’s club of the century, while Chiefs command a huge following throughout Africa.
Amakhosi started the season like a train, picking up several pre-season and early-season trophies and prompting talk of “Operation Clean Sweep” in which they intended to win all the titles on offer. The plan was derailed by domestic league and cup losses, but they re-established their continental superiority during the opening match of their defence of the Mandela Cup when they hammered Transfoot from Madagascar 4-0 at Ellis Park on Saturday. Chiefs could have won by a wider margin.
Al Ahly scored a disappointing 2-1 win over Kenya’s Oserian Fastac last Friday, and were eliminated from the national cup by minnows Ghazl Suez.
Bad news for Chiefs is that they will be without young defender Nhlanhla Kubheka, who is still recovering from a groin injury.
In two weeks Al Ahly travel to South Africa for the second leg.
Although their league title ambitions appear to be on hold for another season, Chiefs’ domination of the sponsorship race is almost unchallenged. Before they trekked to Egypt this week they signed the joint venture for British Airways Comair to be the official domestic carrier of the Kaizer Chiefs squad.
Although the Premier Soccer league (PSL) is still wide open, Cape-based Santos seem determined to occupy top spot for a while.
On Wednesday Sundowns revived their title challenge when they hammered Classic 3-1, while Santos drew 0-0 with Golden Arrows at Greenpoint stadium. Even if the Mamelodi club win their two games in hand on the leaders, however, they will have to rely on a slip by Santos to go top. Tembisa’s Classic are at the bottom of the log and look sure candidates for relegation.
Also on Wednesday, Swallows and Free State Stars played to goalless draw in Germiston.
The pick of the weekend’s domestic fixtures pits defending PSL champions Orlando Pirates against Sundowns at Loftus on Sunday.