Kaizer Chiefs target redemption against Congo's AS Simba after disappointing draw with Siwelele

Kaizer Chiefs find themselves at a critical juncture as they prepare to face AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, a match that comes on the heels of a disheartening goalless draw against lowly Siwelele FC.

Wednesday evening’s performance against Siwelele has magnified the ongoing struggles for consistency that have plagued the Soweto giants this season.

However, Chiefs are determined to set the record straight on Sunday when they face Congolese visitors AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup.

With a string of six games without a victory in all domestic competitions, the pressure is mounting on the Soweto giants to perform strongly on the continental stage.

In the aftermath of Wednesday’s Premiership fixture, co-coach Cedric Kaze bore the weight of disappointment as he addressed the media. Reflecting on the team’s inconsistent display, Kaze remarked, “Football has its miseries,” acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining high standards with a tightly packed schedule.

“It’s very hard to keep the consistency, but I think overall the performance was good. Not very good, but it was good,” Kaze added.

Despite early-season optimism, where the Chiefs started with four straight victories, the team has been unable to replicate that form, especially in front of goal.

Instead, frustrations have been building as they have come away empty-handed in their last four matches in the Premier Soccer League, failing to convert their control of games into tangible results.

Against Siwelele FC, the Glamour Boys were expected to win three points at the FNB Stadium. However, it was the brilliantly executed saves by goalkeeper Brandon Petersen that ensured the draw, preventing what could have been a disappointing defeat.

Kaze struggled to find justification for the lacklustre performance, attributing the result to his players’ inability to convert chances. “These kinds of games, we had the opportunities to score, but we do not have to play well every day, just to put the ball in the net and then wait for the next game,” he said.

The Burundian-born coach was candid about their current form, saying, “Unfortunately, we do not seem to be clinical, lucky in front of the net, but we have to keep working, and I am pretty sure that it will come.”

AS Simba, their upcoming opponents, will undoubtedly be eyeing a vulnerable Chiefs side as they prepare for what promises to be a challenging encounter. Kaze expressed the need for his team to improve their efficiency, especially at home, where they enjoyed significant possession and created numerous opportunities.

“But we are home, we are Kaizer Chiefs, and we had the opportunities and possession to score,” Kaze concluded. “We were controlling the game, and we have to do better, definitely.”

As the club faces this pivotal moment, fans will be hoping for a renewed spirit in the squad that echoes their past glory. With talented new signings in the mix, the potential is there for a turnaround, and the journey towards redemption begins on Sunday.