Dismal Kaizer Chiefs' CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final dreams dashed by Zamalek SC

Kaizer Chiefs failed dismally in their bid to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek SC on Saturday evening.

Chiefs entered the match as the Group D log-leaders at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt. Chiefs needed at least a draw to claim a quarter-final berth.

It was not only the defeat that put paid to Chiefs' quarter-final hopes. The other Egyptian side, Al-Masry, defeated ZESCO United of Zambia 2-0, and that allowed them to finish in second place and secure an advance.

Earlier in the day, Chiefs' PSL rivals Mamelodi Sundowns reached the CAF Champions League Cup quarter-finals after defeating Rulani Mokwena's MC Alger at Loftus Versfeld on the Highveld earlier on Saturday.

And the other member of SA's 'Big Three', Orlando Pirates, secured a routine 3-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership clash in Soweto, on Saturday.

Early in the game, Chiefs' counter-pressing established dominance, and they maintained high attacking pressure down the flanks. Their pace proved hard to contain, and they made a few promising forays deep into the opposition's half.

Just when it seemed that the Chiefs were enjoying the upper hand, their central defence sprang a leak, and Zamalek's attacks failed to capitalise on their first scoring chance.

This close call was the cue for Zamalek to continue attacking down the middle. In the space of the next seven minutes, Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen made two crucial saves.

Once the Chiefs absorbed this pressure spell, they regained the initiative thanks to their midfield, who, with crisp inter-passing, pinned Zamalek down in their own half as the game wound down to the halftime break.

On the stroke of halftime, Zamalek's Palestine-born striker Oday Dabbagh came close to scoring, but Petersen stood his ground between the sticks to avert the danger.

When second-half play resumed, it was all Zamalek and eight minutes later, they drew first blood through their Brazilian right half, Juan Bezerra, after a pass went astray in the Sundowns midfield (1-0).

This setback prompted the Chiefs' technical staff to replace George Matlou with the Uruguayan Gastón Sirino, who was used on the right channel out wide to inject new life into the team's attack.

Just past the hour mark, the message came through that the other Group D challengers, Al-Masry of Egypt, had taken a 1-0 lead against ZESCO of Zambia.

This development, coupled with Zamalek's lead, meant that Chiefs were pushed out to third place on the standings, by virtue of Al Masry's better goal difference.

That effectively ended Chiefs' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, but they continued to fight, albeit in vain.

More woe was in store for the Chiefs when Abdallah El-Said scored in the 72nd minute to give the Egyptians a commanding 2-0 lead.

Towards the end, Chiefs scored a consolation goal through Congolese forward Glody Lilepo (2-1).