Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs dejected after the final whistle during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and BAroka at the Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg on the 05 September 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs news: Mixed fortunes for Amakhosi in AFCON qualifying
Kaizer Chiefs players on Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duty this week experienced mixed results for their national teams.
Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs dejected after the final whistle during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and BAroka at the Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg on the 05 September 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Thursday was a busy day in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a host of countries booking their places at Cameroon’s 2022 showpiece.
QUIZ | ANSWER THESE 5 EACH QUESTIONS AND YOU COULD WIN R1 000
There were a number of matchs with keen interest for Kaizer Chiefs players with Anthony Akumu Agay part of the Kenyan team that took on Egypt in Group G at home, while Itumeleng Khune was part of the Bafana Bafana squad who faced Ghana at FNB Stadium in a crucial Group C qualifier at home.
Khama Billiat, although not in action as he continues his recovery from injury, kept a keen eye on events in Group H where Zimbabwe were away to Botswana and Zambia hosted Algeria.
For Anthony Akumu and the Harambee stars after learning that Comoros had sealed qualification with a draw against Togo, they needed a win against Egypt, but they conceded early in the game going 1-0 down in the second minute thanks to Mohamed Magdy.
Agay who started the match, was replaced in the 54th minute.
Even though Kenya equalised in the 65th minute through Hassan Abdallah, their comeback was halted when they were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Johnstone Omurwa was sent off and had to settle for a draw at home.
The result sent Egypt through to their 25th AFCON tournament and eliminated Kenya. Comoros will be heading to Cameroon for their debut appearance at an AFCON tournament in 2022.
READ | DEON HOTTO’S WORK ETHIC IS SERVING HIM WELL AT ORLANDO PIRATES
Other Kaizer Chiefs interests saw Bafana Bafana play to a 1-1 draw with Ghana at the FNB Stadium.
The result saw the Ghanaians qualify for AFCON and meant that Bafana Bafana are now five games without a win against the Black Stars.
South Africa will now need to avoid defeat against Sudan in their final Group C game in Omdurman on Sunday.
A draw will suffice as it will see them qualify for an 11th AFCON tournament.
While he might not have been playing on Thursday, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Khama Billiat had a long night.
He first followed his Zimbabwe team-mates who were away to Botswana as they got a 1-0 win in Francistown followed by Zambia drawing 3-3 against Algeria at home later on.
This meant that Zimbabwe qualified from Group H along with group leaders Algeria.
Zimbabwe will be heading to their fifth AFCON tournament and third in a row.
They will be looking forward to having Billiat fit for the tournament next year.
It was a brace from Billiat back in November 2019 that gave Zimbabwe a crucial 2-1 away win against Zambia and got their qualifying campaign up and running, after they drew their opening game 0-0 at home against Botswana.
Amakhosi goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will be keeping an eye on Nigeria’s game in Porto Novo against Benin on Saturday in Group L where a win will see the Super Eagles qualify for the 2022 AFCON.
The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon in 2022 will still be officially known as the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as the tournament was postponed from 2021 to 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
IN CLOSING | CLINTON LARSEN HAPPY TO HELP AN “OLD FRIEND IN NEED” AT AILING CHIEFS
