Red Arrows have received an unexpected motivational boost ahead of their decisive encounter against Kaizer Chiefs, with assistant coach Kalililo Kakonje revealing that supporters of rival clubs have been urging the Zambian side to defeat the South African giants.

Kakonje said the encouragement had reached the team even at their hotel, where some supporters reportedly approached them with a clear message: “Guys, please beat Kaizer Chiefs.”

He added: “A lot of supporters are gunning for us; that’s another motivating fact for us.”

The comments add an interesting twist to an already tense continental contest, with Red Arrows preparing to defend their narrow advantage against a Chiefs side desperate to keep its campaign alive.

According to Kakonje, the support from fans who want to see Chiefs beaten has provided his players with another reason to give their best on the pitch.

Although the identities of the supporters were not specified, the remarks highlight the intensity of football rivalries in South Africa, where the fortunes of one major club can become a talking point among supporters of its competitors.

For Red Arrows, however, the priority remains delivering a strong performance and securing a place in the group stage of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.

The Zambian side will need to remain focused despite the attention surrounding the fixture. Encouragement from neutral observers and rival supporters may lift morale, but the result will ultimately depend on what happens during the match.

The stakes are high for Kaizer Chiefs heading into the return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Red Arrows claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Ndola, Zambia, giving them the advantage ahead of the decisive encounter.

According to the Confederation of African Football, Chiefs must overturn that deficit to progress to the group stage. A two-goal victory would secure qualification, while a 1-0 win would leave the tie level and require a penalty shoot-out under the competition's applicable rules.

A draw or defeat would send Red Arrows through.

The pressure is therefore firmly on Chiefs to produce a convincing performance in front of their supporters, while the visitors will look to protect their lead and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way.

Kakonje has also stressed that Red Arrows understand the responsibility of representing their club and Zambia on the continental stage.

For the Zambian side, progressing would be a significant achievement. For Chiefs, failure to overturn the deficit would mean an early end to their hopes of reaching this season's group stage.

The added attention from rival supporters has given the fixture another talking point, but neither team can afford to lose concentration when the action begins.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2113624410854674502