Ben Youssef Confident Chiefs Can Beat Al Masry

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes Amakhosi will improve against Egyptian giants Al Masry at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday despite their narrow defeat in the reverse fixture. 

The Moroccan mentor was speaking ahead of the crucial CAF Confederation Cup Group D second-leg clash, where Chiefs will be aiming to keep their qualification hopes alive against one of the continent’s most experienced sides.

Reflecting on the first meeting between the two teams in Egypt last year, which ended in a 2-1 loss for Chiefs in their opening group-stage match, Ben Youssef felt the result did not reflect the balance of the game.

“I think the Al Masry team is one of the best teams in Egypt and they have one of the best coaches,” Ben Youssef said.

“I think for us, this team, when we played against them in Egypt – it was a 50/50, and we were unlucky by conceding the second goal.

“But I think the reality of that game was that it was a minimum draw.

“On Sunday, I think they will miss two or three key players, so for us, we checked all positives and negatives for Al Masry, and that’s what we discussed with the players to do better in this game.” 

Chiefs head into the encounter sitting third in Group D with seven points, level with Al Masry, who occupy second place.

A victory for the Phefeni Glamour Boys would see them advance to the knockout stage, something the club last achieved in the 2020/21 season when they reached the CAF Champions League final, where they lost to Al Ahly.

Ben Youssef, a former Young Africans assistant coach, stressed that securing maximum points is non-negotiable, while also highlighting the need for composure against a seasoned opponent.

“I think the most important thing is we need to win this game,” Ben Youssef added.

“But let’s say the first thing is we have to manage the 90 minutes because we’re playing against one of the best teams in Africa.

“I think Al Masry has got a lot of experience in this competition, so we have to fight, we have a good mentality, we’re ready, and we’ve prepared the players.

“They were playing in the previous two or three days, so it was a little bit tough for the players, but now it’s another chance to qualify for the next round.”

In the other Group D fixture, log leaders Zamalek will face already eliminated and winless ZESCO United in Zambia, with that match kicking off at the same time as Chiefs versus Al Masry.

After Sunday’s encounter, Chiefs will travel to Egypt to face Zamalek in their final group-stage match next weekend.

The last time the two sides met at Peter Mokaba Stadium, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, setting up another decisive test for Amakhosi’s chase of continental progression.