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The Glamor Boys have been envious in the past as rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have triumphed on the continent.
Kaizer Chiefs President Kaizer Motaung has underscored why it is important to start well in the Caf Champions League, starting with the match against Cameroonian champion PWD Bamenda on Sunday.
The match, at Omnisports Stadium in Limbe, is the first in a series of preliminary two-game matches, with the second game taking place next week at FNB Stadium.
The Glamor Boys are already on their way to Cameroon, they flew Thursday night, first to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and will land in Douala in Cameroon on Friday morning. After that, there is another 77km drive to the coastal town of Limbe, the venue for Sunday’s match.
In what is a great year for Amakhosi, the president hopes for some success on the continent.
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“This is an important trip for us. It’s the first time we’ve played in Cameroon, “he told the club’s website.
“It happens in our 50th anniversary milestone. And it happens as Cameroon prepares to host the African Cup of Nations.
“Then we will go out to fly the South African flag with pride. I wish the team a safe journey and a victory on Sunday.”
Amakhosi fans could certainly do something to celebrate, as can coach Gavin Hunt and his players, after what has been a really difficult start to the new season.
The Soweto giants have won just two of eight games this period and have scored only five times. Their latest setback came midweek when they conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 to newly promoted Swallows FC.
Hunt’s problems have been compounded with some injuries to key players and players like Samir Nurkovic and Reeve Frosler remain sidelined, while FIFA’s transfer ban has left him with limited squad options.
It’s also been five long years since the Chiefs, South Africa’s most popular club, won a title.
And in what will be the sixth time they compete in the Champions League, the club has never made it past the group stage.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ two biggest rivals, the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, have Champions League stars on their badges. Pirates won the tournament in 1995 and Sundowns in 2016.
The bosses have some continental success: they won the Caf Cup Winners’ Cup in 2001, which was the precursor to the Confederation Cup tournament.
