Chiefs' thrilling Nedbank Cup win paves way for CAF return

KAIZER Chiefs are seemingly heading back to the continental stage, and they've done it with the kind of drama only football can script.

- SMISO MSOMI

In a seismic Nedbank Cup semi-final clash at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, Amakhosi rose from the ashes of recent disappointments, to stun Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 and could secure a long-overdue return to African football via the CAF Confederation Cup, if the Betway Premiership standings remain as is. Ashley du Preez emerged as the hero on Sunday night, slotting home a dramatic 89th-minute winner that turned Pretoria into a cauldron of disbelief and euphoria — depending on which colours you wore.

Sundowns came into the encounter as the firm favourites. They had beaten Chiefs three times this season, are cruising in the Premiership, and looked untouchable after hard-fought progression to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Chiefs, on the other hand, arrived as a team with more questions than answers. But in the end, it was the underdog spirit that won out.

The victory does more than just send Chiefs into a final - it also opens the gates to the continent.

With the Nedbank Cup winner guaranteed a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, and the two top league finishers qualifying for the Champions League, the permutations are finally favouring the men from Naturena.