Chiefs aiming to use Nedbank as CAF avenue

Kaizer Chiefs are viewing the Nedbank Cup as a back-up ticket for a CAF berth and will begin their title challenge against Free Agents at the FNB Stadium in the round of 32 on Sunday.

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

CURRENT FORM

The Glamour Boys have won the competition a record 13 times and they've contested the final on 18 occasions - a feat they share with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates for the most appearances.

However, Amakhosi last lifted the trophy in 2013 and have only participated in the decider once since then, in 2019 when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy, who became the first team outside the top flight to win the Nedbank Cup.

Nasreddine Nabi is determined to bring CAF football back to Naturena, although their first avenue via the Betway Premiership currently sees Chiefs sitting four points outside the top three in fifth place after 14 matches.

Their other route into Africa is winning South Africa's version of the English FA Cup and Nabi's assistant, Khalil Ben Youssef, revealed the Soweto giants have prepared as best they could for the clash with the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League outfit.

Chiefs will be hoping for better fortunes this year after they were bundled out of the competition at the first hurdle in 2024 by Milford on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

Free Agents are one of five teams making their Nedbank Cup debut this term along with Kruger United, Mighty Eagles, Lerumo Lions and the Bees.

Olaitan Oladeru's side are struggling in the Gauteng Stream, winning just four of their opening 15 fixtures to sit in 13th place.

WHAT WAS SAID

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef

"When we discussed our project with the board, we said we must build our team that will fight the next year or two, three years we have to fight for the league. Second, we have to return to CAF tournaments.

"If you want to play in Africa, you have two choices; one, you have to finish in the top three or win this cup. As a big team, we know that we should win every competition we play, hence we will do our best to win the Nedbank Cup.

"It was difficult for them [Chiefs analysts] to get a lot of information about Free Agents but they did well. We saw their last three games and we know that in their last five, they won two, drew two, losing one.

"We don't have more information about this team but I can say we managed to get 60 or 70 per cent of the information we wanted about them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs - Mfundo Vilakazi could be given a chance to impress from the start against Free Agents, having shown glimpses of what he is capable of in his 13 league appearances, only three of which came as a starter.

The 19-year-old winger stepped off the bench to score the winner against Sekhukhune United on 19 January to register his second goal for the club after scoring on his debut away to Marumo Gallants on 14 September.

Mduduzi Shabalala was rested against Babina Noko after recently sustaining a minor knock, although it could also have been a precaution to avoid suspension as he is sitting on three yellow cards.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been Amakhosi's standout player this season and he's emerged as a contender for the Golden Boot after scoring four goals in 13 Betway Premiership outings, placing him two behind joint-top scorers Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro.