Kaizer Chiefs touched down in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, this afternoon ahead of their crucial TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup preliminary second round clash against AS Simba. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 15:00 at the TP Mazembe Stadium.

While the team would have loved to be back at the KC Village celebrating Chairman Dr. Kaizer Motaung’s birthday, the lads have had to shift focus to continental duties, making the journey to central Africa for this important fixture.

Among the 22-man travelling squad are fresh faces Khanyisa Mayo and Lebohang Maboe, both of whom missed the first-round matches due to registration deadlines. Maboe, who has played in Lubumbashi with his previous team in the CAF Champions League, expressed his excitement at being part of the squad.

“I’m happy that I’m back from injury and planning to work hard to catch up with the rest of the guys who have been active. I’m energised and ready to give it my all if given a chance but will also share my experiences with my teammates to ensure we advance to the group stages,” he says.

Also rejoining the squad is rising star Mfundo “Obrigado” Vilakazi, who recently returned from representing South Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

“Chile was great even though we were knocked out in the last 16. We gained invaluable experience and I plan to use it here at the team,” says the teenage prodigy, adding, “It’s important to score a goal or two in the match on Saturday to gain an advantage so we can finish the job in Joburg next weekend when we host Simba in Dobsonville.”

The mighty Amakhosi are bracing for a challenging encounter, with the match set to be played on artificial turf in hot conditions.

Travelling Squad Members:

• Brandon “Bizza” Petersen
• Bruce Bvuma
• Fiacre Ntwari
• Inacio Miguel
• Zitha Kwinika
• Aden McCarthy
• Bradley Cross
• Dillan Solomons
• Reeve Frosler
• Thabo Cele
• Siphesihle Ndlovu
• Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa
• Lebohang Maboe
• Gaston Sirino
• Mduduzi “Mdu or die” Shabalala
• Nkosingiphile “Mshini” Ngcobo
• Mfundo “Obrigado” Vilakazi
• Pule Mmodi
• Glody Lilepo
• Wandile Duba
• Khanyisa Mayo
• Ashley Du Preez

The team is determined to secure a positive result in Lubumbashi before returning home for the decisive second-leg in Johannesburg on Sunday, 26 October. But before that, all eyes will be on Saturday’s 15:00 kickoff as Amakhosi aim to take a step closer to the group stages of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.