Kaizer Chiefs face Red Arrows test in crucial CAF Confederation Cup qualifier

Fernando Da Cruz's side find themselves a goal down from the first leg against the Zambian Super League side at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium this past weekend.

They have also struggled in the Betway Premiership this season with just 14 points from their opening eight league matches, although they are still yet to lose a Premiership tie.

Chiefs resume hostilities with Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday needing a win to keep their Champions League dreams alive.

Da Cruz bemoaned the state of the pitch as his side went down to a 77th minute goal from Red Arrows skipper Alassane Diarra and expects a better showing next time out.

He said on iDiski Times: "About the pitch, it was not the field for our advantage.

“It was not a very good field for us to develop our game model. But we must adapt. We must play with the condition. The players adapted very well about the condition it’s not a problem.

"We conceded one goal on set pieces, on corner. But until now, we are focused on the second leg and our game at home because we know that we are able to win this second leg."

Red Arrows head coach Chisi Mbewe has, meanwhile, warned Kaizer Chiefs that his side are ready to complete the job in South Africa.

"We know that it's not going to be an easy game, playing away from home as we travel to South Africa with an advantage," Mbewe said on KickOff.

"The most important thing, we need to have a strong mental strength, we need to be cautious and again, we need to utilise the chances that we are going to create into this game and we need to ensure that we are compact. We don’t allow Kaizer Chiefs to score."

“So we are really confident of carrying the day and, for the first time, going into the group stages of this competition.”