Kaizer Chiefs powered past AS Simba with a 3–1 victory in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday — despite wasting several clear chances, particularly from Pule Mmodi.

Chiefs will be joined in the group stages by Stellenbosch FC, who thrashed 15 de Agosto in their own second leg on Sunday, meaning South Africa will have two representatives in this season’s Confederation Cup.

In the CAF Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns advanced after defeating Remo Stars, while Orlando Pirates were eliminated by Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo following a defeat at Orlando Stadium on Saturday on penalties.

Having drawn 0–0 in Lubumbashi, Chiefs came into the second leg knowing the tie was finely balanced. The match was moved to Dobsonville Stadium due to a concert booking at FNB Stadium, but that did not stop Amakhosi supporters from filling the smaller Soweto venue to rally behind their team, who have endured a turbulent few weeks.

Their support was rewarded early when Etiosa Ighodaro fired Chiefs ahead in just the third minute, finishing from close range after AS Simba goalkeeper Dida Alhassani had parried Glody Lilepo’s left-footed strike.

Ighodaro, who joined Chiefs after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of last season following a loan spell with AmaZulu, was making only his second start for the club — and marked it with his first goal.

Simba now needed to score twice, but their defensive errors suggested a comeback was unlikely.

Chiefs doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Mfundo Vilakazi delivered a pinpoint free kick into the six-yard box, where Zitha Kwinika calmly opened his body to guide the ball home.

Amakhosi continued to dominate, and in the 25th minute, Shabalala’s corner found Lilepo, who rose highest to power in a header for Chiefs’ third goal of the night.

Mmodi continued to trouble the Simba defence but was guilty of missing several chances. One strike was ruled out for offside, while another powerful effort was tipped over the crossbar by Dida.

Chiefs’ technical team later introduced Lebohang Maboe for his first appearance since joining from Mamelodi Sundowns in the off-season. Maboe, who came through the Chiefs development ranks before moving on early in his career, was most recently on loan at the now-defunct SuperSport United.

Ighodaro led the line effectively, linking play well before being replaced by Gaston Sirino ten minutes from time.

Despite their dominance, Chiefs were denied a clean sheet late on when Aden McCarthy accidentally turned the ball into his own net, handing AS Simba a consolation goal.

Still, the result was more than enough to send Kaizer Chiefs comfortably into the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, marking a strong continental showing alongside fellow South Africans Stellenbosch FC.