Chiefs brace for Horoya test

Kaizer Chiefs are finally set to get their 2020-21 Caf Champions League campaign up and running when they face Horoya AC in a Group C encounter at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Amakhosi's maiden group stage voyage was put on ice after their scheduled opener away to Wydad Casablanca earlier this month was postponed after the Soweto giants were denied entry visas into Morocco, due to health and safety related to the recent developments of Covid-19.

As a result, Chiefs will start their campaign on home soil against Guinean giants Horoya who are no strangers to South African viewers.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and the now defunct Bidvest Wits have recently faced Horoya on the continent and Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt was in charge of the Clever Boys when they played the Conakry outfit twice in the 2019-20 Caf Confederation Cup.

Chiefs forward Leonardo Castro is familiar with the challenges the club will face on the continent having been part of the Mamelodi Sundowns team that won the 2016 Champions League title.

The Colombian also scored the decisive goal in the Amakhosi's aggregate win over Primeiro de Agosto in the first round.

"We played on Saturday [1-1 draw versus SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership] so our focus is on recovery and we will see how they [Horoya] play and we will see how we need to play against them. Champions League games are very tough," said Castro.

"We need to work hard, to get the results won't be easy. These games will be tough and we need to be clever. We need to play with responsibility, to minimise our mistakes and if we score first I am confident we can get all three points.

"Very important to start in the right way. We have to make our home games count, if we do that it will make the away games easier."

Chiefs haven't won in six matches across all competitions and will be hoping that continental football will bring about a change in fortunes.

In contrast, Horoya are unbeaten in six matches and defeated Satellite FC 5-0 in a Ligue 1 fixture last weekend.

They also got their Caf CL group stage campaign off to a winning start by beating Angolan club Petro Atletico 2-0 at General Lansana Conté Nongo Stadium earlier this month.