Kaizer Chiefs are on the cusp of confirming their participation in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, a significant achievement largely facilitated by the success of their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates.
Amakhosi’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Sunday night’s Nedbank Cup semi-final at Loftus Stadium has paved a clear pathway to continental competition.
This hard-fought win secured their place in the prestigious Nedbank Cup final.
Read: Kaizer Chiefs come from behind to beat Mamelodi Sundowns and reach Nedbank Cup final
Simultaneously, Orlando Pirates’ earlier 1-0 triumph over Marumo Gallants earlier on the day has significant implications for the CAF qualification landscape. With only a handful of league fixtures remaining in the Betway Premiership, the Buccaneers appear highly likely to secure a top-two finish alongside runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Mighty Buccaneers currently occupy the second spot in the league standings, demonstrating their strong performance throughout the season.
The stage is now set for a tantalizing Soweto derby showdown in the Nedbank Cup final, scheduled for May 10th at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This final clash between Chiefs and Pirates carries extra significance beyond the domestic silverware.
Crucially, if Orlando Pirates maintain their projected top-two league finish, Kaizer Chiefs will automatically qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup, regardless of the outcome of the Nedbank Cup final. This is because the top two teams in the league secure qualification for the more prestigious CAF Champions League.
Should Pirates finish second and win the Nedbank Cup, their Champions League qualification via the league standings would then open up the Confederation Cup spot reserved for the cup winner to the runners-up – in this case, Kaizer Chiefs.
In essence, the CAF qualification rules stipulate that the top two league finishers qualify for the Champions League, while the Nedbank Cup winner and the third-placed league team enter the Confederation Cup.
By virtue of reaching the Nedbank Cup final, they have secured an alternative and all but guaranteed route to the CAF Confederation Cup, capitalizing on the strong league performance of their rivals, Orlando Pirates.
With Pirates poised to finish in the top two, their potential Nedbank Cup victory would create a domino effect, ensuring Chiefs’ participation in the Confederation Cup, even if they were to lose the final.