Kaizer Chiefs floored in Luanda as Kabuscorp draw first blood in CAF Confederation Cup tie

Kaizer Chiefs slipped to a second successive defeat as their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg ended in a 1-0 loss to Angolan side Kabuscorp in Luanda on Saturday.

A second-half strike from Julio Matondo proved decisive, giving the hosts a slender but valuable advantage ahead of next Saturday’s return fixture at FNB Stadium.

Uncertainty has loomed large over the Chiefs camp in recent days, and this result will only deepen the sense of unease. Having celebrated a promising start to the 2025/26 campaign, the sudden absence of their head coach in the build-up to their continental return dominated the narrative. With little time to adapt before their opener, Amakhosi were immediately confronted with a stern test of resilience.

The visitors arrived in Angola on the back of a 3-1 midweek defeat to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership – their first league loss of the season after six unbeaten matches. Against Kabuscorp, a side relatively unknown on the continent but formidable in their own backyard, Chiefs needed to assert themselves despite their off-field distractions.

They began with purpose. In the ninth minute, Mduduzi Shabalala slipped a clever through ball into the path of Glody Lilepo, whose powerful drive forced goalkeeper Anselmo Mbala into a save that spilled dangerously into the area. Pule Mmodi was alert and poised to strike, but the hosts recovered quickly to smother the danger.

Chiefs had the better of the opening exchanges, but clear-cut chances were scarce in a cagey first half. Gradually, Kabuscorp grew in confidence, urged on by a boisterous crowd, and began to push the South Africans deeper into their own half.

Brandon Petersen, who has been a standout performer this season, was called upon to preserve parity on the stroke of half-time. The goalkeeper, beaten three times by Sekhukhune in midweek, produced a superb fingertip save to divert a thunderous long-range effort from Beni Papel away from danger, underlining his composure under pressure.

The caretaker pairing of Cedric Kaze and Khali Ben Youseff had guided the side well enough in their mentor’s absence earlier this season, but they knew a stronger second half was required if their side were to take control of the tie. Instead, the breakthrough came for the Angolans.

The second stanza began much like the first, and with Chiefs sticking with their starting XI, it was Kabuscorp coach Roberto Luiz who made the decisive move. His substitution of Julio Matondo paid off instantly, as the forward rose high to meet a pinpoint cross from Afonso Mafuta with his very first touch of the match — a bullet header on the hour that handed the hosts the decisive blow.

Amakhosi, curiously, failed to make the extra man count after Kabuscorp were reduced to ten, lacking the incisiveness and composure required to prise open a resolute defence. With no clear chances carved out, they trudged off with a 1-0 deficit that leaves them with everything to fight for back at the FNB Stadium next week.