With a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages hanging in the balance, Kaizer Chiefs and AS Simba are primed for a fiercely competitive showdown.
All eyes will be on TP Mazembe Stadium as the Glamour Boys look to take a decisive step toward the 2025/26 group phase.
Form Guide
Amakhosi reached this stage after a tight first-round encounter against Angolan side Kabuscorp, which they overcame on penalties following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The solitary goal scored by striker Glody Lilepo in the second leg was the club’s 98th goal in African club competition, meaning Chiefs will be aiming to hit the century mark in Lubumbashi this weekend.
Read: Bernard Parker Slams Mike Makaab Over Bitter Kaizer Chiefs Exit
The preliminary second round clash is a high-stakes affair, as the winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the lucrative group stage draw—a key step towards achieving continental glory, which the club last tasted in 2001.
Interestingly, this will be Chiefs’ first-ever game in the city of Lubumbashi. Their previous fixture against AS Vita took place in the capital, Kinshasa. For Chiefs striker Glody Lilepo, the match represents a homecoming; the DRC native will face AS Simba, a team he previously battled in the top-flight Linafoot while on the books of AS Vita.
Team News
Following the international break, Chiefs arrive with a significantly strengthened squad. The most exciting news is the inclusion of several players who missed the first round due to registration issues or injuries.
The club has confirmed the registration clearance for new signings Asanele Velebayi and Etiosa Ighodaro, as well as the crucial addition of star striker Khanyisa Mayo and experienced midfielder Lebohang Maboe. Velebayi and young star Luke Baartman were also cleared for selection after the finalization of their previously pending legal matters related to their exit from Cape Town Spurs.
While the return of Maboe, who has previous CAF Champions League experience in Lubumbashi, and the potential debut of Mayo are major boosts, the travelling squad does not include Velebayi, Baartman, or Ighodaro.
Additionally, Bafana Bafana international Thabiso Monyane is missing, suggesting he is not fully fit. That being said, youth talent Mfundo Vilakazi, fresh from a promising outing at the U20 World Cup, has been included.
The 22-man travelling squad ready for battle against AS Simba is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Brandon Petersen, Bruce Bvuma, Fiacre Ntwari
Defenders: Zitha Kwinika, Aden McCarthy, Inacio Miguel, Reeve Frosler, Bradley Cross, Dillan Solomons
Midfielders: Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Thabo Cele, Mfundo Vilakazi, Mduduzi Shabalala, Gaston Sirino
Forwards: Glody Lilepo, Pule Mmodi, Ashley du Preez, Khanyisa Mayo, Wandile Duba
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00 on Saturday, 18 October and will not be available on television or YouTube, as confirmed by Kaizer Chiefs. Fans can follow Amakhosi across all major social media platforms for updates on the fixture.
TP Mazembe Stadium
The upcoming CAF Confederation Cup clash between Kaizer Chiefs and AS Simba will unfold at the iconic TP Mazembe Stadium, a modern football fortress with a seating capacity of 18,500.
Nestled in the heart of Kamalondo—a football-rich suburb of Lubumbashi—the stadium is just a short drive from the city center and has become a landmark destination for both football fans and visitors exploring the cultural pulse of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Officially opened on July 12, 2012, the stadium was constructed on the historic grounds of the former Stade Mwanke. It was envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility that would elevate the standards of club football in the region. In 2019, the venue underwent significant renovations to enhance its infrastructure and maintain compliance with evolving international benchmarks.
Designed to meet the rigorous criteria set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), TP Mazembe Stadium stands out as one of the few privately owned stadiums on the continent capable of hosting top-tier international fixtures.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
AS Simba 13/10 | Draw 2/1 | Kaizer Chiefs 2/1
With a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages on the line, the intensity will be at an all time high as both Kaizer Chiefs and AS Simba battle to gain the upper hand in this crucial second-round encounter.
The South African heavyweights are not only chasing progression—they’re also on the brink of a historic century of goals in African club competition.
Facing the reigning DRC Cup champions on their home turf, Amakhosi will be determined to deliver a commanding performance in Lubumbashi.
A positive result would give them a crucial advantage heading into the decisive return leg in Johannesburg on Sunday, October 26th, as they look to stamp their authority on the continental stage.
Back Chiefs on the win at 2/1