Kaizer Chiefs overcome stomach bug to earn hard-fought draw in Lubumbashi

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Khalil Ben Youssef has revealed that a sudden stomach bug struck his players just hours before their CAF Confederation Cup clash against AS Simba at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Saturday.

Despite the disruption, Amakhosi battled through adversity to hold their Congolese hosts to a goalless draw in the crucial first leg of the second preliminary round. 

The result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of next Saturday’s decisive return leg at Dobsonville Stadium, where a win would see Chiefs qualify for the group stages of the competition.

The Glamour Boys travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo intent on securing a first-leg advantage but were instead forced to deal with a health scare on matchday morning. 

Ben Youssef detailed how several key players woke up vomiting and suffering from diarrhoea, leaving the technical team scrambling to make last-minute decisions about team selection.

“I have to say congratulations to our players, they woke up with diarrhoea and vomiting before the match. I don’t know what happened with the food,” Ben Youssef said.

“Five of them were in a critical situation, and we were not sure if they could play, but I have to say congratulations to them, even though they were not 100% ready, but they fought for the team and took a risk with us.”

The Tunisian coach admitted that the situation severely affected the team’s rhythm and energy levels but was proud of the players’ mental toughness in managing the game under pressure.

“Another one is Lilepo, he got a small injury on his ankle, but he decided to play and fight for the team, and in the 65th minute, we saw that he couldn’t continue,” Ben Youssef explained. 

“We brought in Ashley because we know he can bring a lot of quality to the team with his speed. He got the opportunity to score, but he was unlucky.”

Chiefs were forced to absorb pressure for large periods of the match as Simba pressed high and looked to exploit their physical edge. 

However, Brandon Peterson produced key saves to keep the game goalless, while the backline — marshalled by Inacio Miguel and Zitha Kwinika — held firm against sustained second-half pressure.

While the draw gives Chiefs everything to play for at home, it also underlined their fighting spirit in testing conditions. 

Ben Youssef and his men will now shift focus to domestic matters, with a Betway Premiership clash against Siwelele FC awaiting on Wednesday night.

Chiefs will be eager to end their run of seven matches without a win from open play before turning their attention back to continental duties next weekend in Dobsonville.