Kaizer Chiefs are finally back on the continental stage. Thanks to last season’s Nedbank Cup triumph, Amakhosi have booked their spot in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, formerly known as the African Cup Winners’ Cup.
Their campaign starts with a tricky preliminary round tie against Angolan Cup champions Kabuscorp S.C.P.
The Glamour Boys will first travel to Luanda’s 11 de Novembro Stadium this weekend, kick off will be at 17:00, before the return leg at the FNB Stadium on 27 September.
WHO ARE KAIZER CHIEFS’ OPPONENTS, KABUSCORP?
Kabuscorp Sport Clube do Palanca, or simply Kabuscorp, are a top-flight club based in Angola’s capital, Luanda. The side, nicknamed Os Palanquinos, plays in the 16-team Girabola league.
Last season, they finished ninth, recording nine wins, 12 draws, and nine defeats. Their only Angolan Girabola title came in 2012/13, but they secured the 2024/25 Angolan Cup, which earned them the CAFCC clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
The team is led by 58-year-old Spaniard Beto Bianchi, and they’ve made a solid start to the new season with a 1-0 win over Interclube, putting them temporarily at the top of the league.
THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP EXPLAINED
The CAF Confederation Cup is split into two main phases: the qualification stage and the main competition. Early rounds follow a straight knock-out format, with the away goals rule acting as the tiebreaker.
16 winners from the qualifying rounds advance to the group stage, divided into four groups of four. Each team plays the others in a round-robin format, earning three points for a win. The top two from each group move on to the quarterfinals, followed by two-legged semi-finals and the final showdown to claim the continental prize.
For Amakhosi, this is more than just another competition, it’s a chance to prove they still belong on the African stage. And while Kabuscorp may not be a household name outside Angola, Os Palanquinos will surely provide a stern test for Amakhosi in Luanda.
Saturday’s game will be live on SABC.