Red Arrows head coach Chisi Mbewe has rated Kaizer Chiefs' chances of being eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup at eight out of ten, according to Goal.com. The Zambian club carries a one-goal lead into the second leg of the tie against the South African giants, with the decisive match set for Johannesburg.
Mbewe's assessment, made in comments carried by KickOff and reported by Goal.com, places the pressure squarely on Amakhosi as they try to overturn the deficit in front of their own supporters.
Why it matters
For Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most recognisable club names in African football, falling short in a continental qualifier would be a significant setback. For Red Arrows, reaching the group stage of the Confederation Cup would mark a notable milestone in the club's history on the continent.
The tie also puts Chiefs' coach Fernando Da Cruz under added scrutiny. Goal.com has separately reported that the team's defensive record is being questioned amid growing pressure on the coach, with criticism that the quality at the back is not there. A home exit would sharpen that debate considerably.
Mbewe: 'We are very confident'
The Red Arrows coach did not downplay his side's position. According to Goal.com, Mbewe said his team is highly confident and argued that a competition should not be surrendered.
He indicated that his players had prepared for this fixture with a clear plan, and that the first-leg performance reflected it. Mbewe pointed to the number of chances his side created as evidence that the tie could already have been settled, expressing mild frustration that only one of those opportunities was converted.
When asked to put a number on the likelihood of Red Arrows progressing, Mbewe answered without hesitation, placing the odds heavily in his team's favour at eight in ten. He also stated plainly that he expects Red Arrows to qualify for the group stage, describing the tie as being within his players' control.
His message to the squad ahead of the trip to Johannesburg was that they would fight for the result needed to advance, per Goal.com's report.
A narrow lead, but a confident camp
A single-goal advantage is often treated as fragile in two-legged football, particularly with the second match away from home. Mbewe's public stance suggests he sees it differently, framing the first leg as a missed opportunity to build a wider cushion rather than a lucky escape.
Red Arrows arrived at this stage after coming through an earlier round, eliminating Madagascar's FC Rouge 4-0 on aggregate, according to Goal.com. That result gave the Zambian side a route into the playoff against the Premier Soccer League club.
The report also notes that Red Arrows have played fewer competitive matches than Chiefs this season. Despite that lighter schedule, their fitness levels and finishing in the first leg were described as signs that the team is finding form at the right moment.
Mbewe's confidence rests on his belief that his players can absorb the pressure that will come from a home crowd and from Chiefs pushing hard for goals. Whether that holds will be tested in Durban, where the second leg is set to be played.
What to watch
The second leg in Durban will show whether Mbewe's prediction holds or whether Chiefs can use home advantage to rescue the tie. For Da Cruz, the match is also a test of a defence that has drawn criticism in recent weeks.
