Red Arrows Eliminate Kaizer Chiefs as CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Takes Shape

Zambia’s Red Arrows have eliminated South African side Kaizer Chiefs from the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, winning a penalty shootout in Durban to secure a place in the group stage. The upset is among the most striking outcomes of the competition’s second preliminary round, which has also confirmed qualification for Al Ahly, Raja Club Athletic and AS FAR.

A tense tie in Durban

Red Arrows arrived in South Africa with a 1–0 first-leg lead, but Kaizer Chiefs levelled the aggregate score when Bradley Cross headed in during the second half of Friday’s return match. Chiefs won the match 1–0, forcing penalties with the tie level at 1–1 overall. Red Arrows held their nerve to win the shootout 3–2, according to CAF’s match report.

What the upset means

The result gives Red Arrows a chance to compete against established continental opponents in a group-stage format. It also demonstrates the importance of disciplined defending and managing the pressure of knockout football. Chiefs created opportunities in the second leg but were unable to secure the second goal that would have won the tie before penalties. Qualification is an important sporting achievement for the Zambian club, though its financial value cannot be quantified without competition and club disclosures.

Al Ahly progress emphatically

Egypt’s Al Ahly defeated Uganda’s Kitara FC 4–0 in Cairo to complete a 6–1 aggregate victory. The Egyptian club brings an extensive record of continental success into the Confederation Cup, having won the competition in 2014. CAF’s official qualification roundup also confirms the progression of Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic and AS FAR, and Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.

Newcomers and established contenders

South Africa’s Durban City reached the group stage for the first time after defeating Mauritius’ AS Port Louis 2000 by 6–1 on aggregate. DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union advanced 8–2 on aggregate against Angola’s Kabuscorp, while Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli recorded an 8–1 aggregate win over Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat. The results show a field that combines clubs with long continental histories and others building their reputations.

Two Tanzanian representatives

Azam FC and Singida Black Stars both qualified, giving Tanzania two clubs in the group stage. Azam defeated Egypt’s ZED FC 1–0 in the return leg to advance 2–1 on aggregate. Singida Black Stars drew 1–1 with Kenya’s Tusker FC, also progressing 2–1 overall. The presence of two Tanzanian teams adds another dimension to the country’s participation in African club football.

The final place remains unresolved

CAF confirmed on 26 October that fifteen clubs had qualified, with the last place awaiting the outcome of an outstanding tie involving Algeria’s CR Belouizdad and either Mauritania’s AS Douanes or Guinea’s Hafia Club. Reporting the field as complete would therefore be premature. The draw is scheduled for 28 October at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.

How the group stage works

The eventual sixteen clubs will be divided into four groups of four. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals. Group play begins in November, requiring clubs to maintain consistency across several fixtures and manage travel, squad rotation and different playing conditions.

A distinct competition

The Confederation Cup is separate from the CAF Champions League, whose qualifiers Towncrier Africa covered earlier. This report focuses on the Confederation Cup’s emerging field and Red Arrows’ upset, rather than repeating the Champions League results. With the draw approaching, attention now shifts from qualification drama to the matchups that will shape the next phase.

Qualification does not settle the title race

Reaching the group stage is only the first step in a longer competition. Clubs will need to manage repeated travel, recovery time and domestic-league commitments while maintaining consistent performances. A side that survives a preliminary-round shootout may face very different tactical demands in group matches against opponents with stronger resources or deeper squads.

For Red Arrows, the immediate task is to prepare for those fixtures without assuming that the win over Kaizer Chiefs predicts later results. The draw will determine the next opponents and allow the club to plan its campaign. For Chiefs, the result raises questions about converting possession and chances into goals, although one elimination alone is not sufficient evidence for a broader assessment of the team’s season.

Featured photograph: Cedrick Onyumbe of Red Arrows and Thulani Mabaso of Kaizer Chiefs during the second-leg match in Durban, 23 October 2026. © Phakamisa Lensman/Backpagepix. Used from Towncrier Africa’s existing media library.