Kaizer Chiefs’ drama in the CAF Champions League has been resolved … or has it?
Kaizer Chiefs’ CAF Champions League drama over (or is it?)
Kaizer Chiefs’ drama in the CAF Champions League has been resolved … or has it?
Kaizer Chiefs’ drama in the CAF Champions League has been resolved … or has it?
Kaizer Chiefs’ off-field drama in the CAF Champions League has been resolved after their Moroccan opponents Wydad Athletic received an ultimatum from the Confederation of African Football.
Or has it … ?
READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN ALGERIA CANCELLED
After logistical nightmares saw Kaizer Chiefs’ fixture against Wydad Athletic postponed three times, CAF sent a strongly-worded warning to the North African club to find an alternative venue.
Kaizer Chiefs had been denied visas to enter Morocco due to Covid-19 concerns over teams travelling from South Africa.
Wydad Athletic were handed a deadline of midnight on Sunday, 21 February to confirm a neutral venue and date – or risk a 2-0 walkover result as per the CAF Covid-19 regulations.
Wydad Athletic, as expected, moved swiftly to adhere to that warning.
As a result, according to Moroccan national television, Arryadia TV, Kaizer Chiefs will now travel to Burkina Faso on Sunday, 28 February to face Wydad Athletic at the August 4 Stadium in the nation’s capital, Ouagadougou.
Johannesburg to Ouagadougou is roughly 7 700km as the crow flies, but there are no direct flights between the two cities, meaning Amakhosi are in for several hours of waiting around at various airports in the coming days.
However, in what could be a dramatic twist, the South African Football Association (SAFA) is on record as saying that “no South African teams will play matches at neutral venues”.
READ | SAFA TO CAF: SOUTH AFRICAN TEAMS WILL NOT PLAY AT NEUTRAL VENUES
Unless they backtrack on that stance, should Kaizer Chiefs fail to honour their new fixture, they will be at risk of losing the match 2-0.
The match was originally due to take place on 13 February. It was then moved to Egypt on 28 February but the Egyptian Football Association released a statement saying they wouldn’t be able to accommodate the clash.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs will be in action on Tuesday, 23 February in the CAF Champions League when they host Hoyora from Guinea at the FNB Stadium.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
IN CLOSING | ITUMELENG KHUNE STRIPPED OF KAIZER CHIEFS CAPTAINCY
