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Chiefs’ CAF Champions League win big reward for fans, says Zwane

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Kaizer Chiefs say their qualification for the final of the CAF Champions League was a big reward for their fans who have had to endure a string of disappointments in recent seasons. The Soweto giants displayed resilience in the goalless draw at the FNB Stadium in the second leg semi-final against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco on Saturday night, to advance one-nil on aggregate after the first leg win in Casablanca last weekend.

Chiefs went into the match with a couple of challenges, which left them with just 16 players to select from for the crucial encounter.

SABC Sport caught up with a small group of fans who waited outside the stadium to cheer their team after on after a successful evening. Their excitement was a symbol and representation of the thousands of Amakhosi fans across the country.

“We stand a chance for a star. We came here hoping if we draw or win it means the final is ours. I hope for the best for the final,” said one excited fan.

“In the history of Chiefs – this has never happened. We thank the coaches for the good result,” added another.

“We were at Atteridgeville. We were listening on the SABC Radio. I said to my friend – we must run to the stadium before the boys can get out. We must be here to celebrate with them because this is a big win for us; for South Africa and for all football on the SADC,” says another fan.

After losing out on the 2019/2020 Premiership title in the last 20 minutes of their last match of the season, the team made a promise to themselves that they needed to go for something bigger to present to their fans.

“Something big was this one. There is nothing other than this one to make everyone happy…the supporters, the chairman, marketing; the people cutting the grass and the people washing the kit. All the people that played a part,” says Chiefs Assistant Coach, Arthur Zwane.

Lebohang Dube reports on this in the video below:

Chiefs had to overcome a few challenges before the start of the match. Many of their key players, including some technical team members and support staff, were ruled out due to COVID-19.

Sixteen players were available for selection. This was another test of character, which they passed with distinction. Chiefs’ qualification for the final of the most prestigious club competition on the continent after a difficult season, was affirmation that the players understood the pride of wearing the Chiefs jersey.

“Through all these years – it has been tough…never been easy for us because we believe as long as we love one another, support each other and be there for each other -all the time even when chips are down – that is what the team taught us,” says Zwane.

Over the years, the Soweto Giants have been accused of not taking CAF competitions seriously.
The win brings a shift in mindset.

Zwane, who has been with the club for over two decades, is better placed to understand the significance of this achievement for club chairman, Kaizer Motaung.

He says: “It has always been our dream since I was a player before I became a coach that we want to win this for the chairman. Hopefully the man above will give us the strength in the final to make sure we win it for the Chairman.”

Chiefs will face Al Ahly of Egypt in the final in Casablanca on July 17. It will be an interesting affair – squaring off against fellow South African coach Pitso Mosimane who guided his side to a four-nil aggregate win over Esperance of Tunisia in the other semi-final.

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