Al Masry, Chiefs eye perfect start in Group D

Al Masry will tussle it out with Kaizer Chiefs in their opening 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group D match at the Suez Stadium in Suez, Egypt, on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Al Masry stretched their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions when they drew 0-0 with Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League match played on 2 November.

The Green Eagles reached this stage of the Confederation Cup after they claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Libyan club Al-Ittihad and they are on a mission to reach the final for the first time, having been eliminated in the semifinals in 2018.

Meanwhile, Chiefs are also enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions in regulation time, having claimed an emphatic 4-1 win over Orbit College in the Betway Premiership on 4 November.

Amakhosi are making their debut appearance in the Confederation Cup group stage following their 3-1 aggregate win over DR Congolese side AS Simba and they are hoping to go all the way, and win their second continental title after their 2001 CAF African Cup Winners' Cup triumph.

TEAM NEWS

Mido Gaber has been nursing a knee injury and his Al Masry teammate Salah Mohsen picked up a red card during a match against Al Ittihad on 26 October, which ruled him out of the team's first two matches in the group stage.

Chiefs, on the other hand, will be without the services of Glody Lilepo, Aden McCarthy, Nkanyiso Shinga, Fiacre Ntwari, Ethan Chislett, Khanyisa Mayo and Rushwin Dortley, while Gaston Sirino is suspended.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe on Al Masry:

“We are about to embark on a very important journey. We have looked sharp in training and are all ‘amped up’ for the game on Sunday," the former Mamelodi Sundowns star said.

"Given that it’s an away game, we expect a tough, physical challenge, but we know the importance of getting off to a good start so we are going there to get something, not just make up numbers.

“Al Masry are a good side with a well-defined shape, using a diamond midfield and wingbacks, plus two mobile strikers up front. We are aware that we’ll have to be at our best against them on their home turf," he added.

"But we believe in ourselves and are looking forward to the test.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first-ever meeting between Al Masry and Kaizer Chiefs.