Solomons Scores Beauty but Al Masry Claim Victory in Group D Thriller
CAF Confederation Cup – Group D
Al Masry SC 2–1 Kaizer Chiefs
New Suez Stadium, Egypt | 23 November 2025
Kaizer Chiefs opened their CAF Confederation Cup Group D campaign with a narrow and frustrating 2–1 defeat to Al Masry SC in Suez, undone by a penalty, a moment of brilliance from Dillan Solomons, and a late defensive blunder that gifted the Egyptians all three points.
Amakhosi arrived in Egypt on a three-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but left empty-handed after a performance that merited more than the final result.
A tight first half before chaos after the break
The first 45 minutes were characterised by caution from both sides. Al Masry threatened early when Brandon Petersen produced a strong save in the seventh minute, while Solomons fired wide from distance two minutes later. Chiefs grew into the game, but neither side found a breakthrough before halftime.
Just three minutes into the second half, Petersen pulled off another superb stop in the 48th minute to keep the match level. But the turning point came shortly after the hour mark.
Petersen concedes penalty – Al Masry go ahead
In the 59th minute, a lofted ball into the Chiefs box caused chaos. Mahmoud Hamada sprinted past Sibongiseni Mthethwa to reach it first, and as Petersen rushed out to challenge, he mistimed his attempt and brought the midfielder down. The referee pointed to the spot.
Rwandan midfielder Bonheur Mugisha converted with a low strike past Petersen, who guessed the right way but could not make the save, giving Al Masry a 1–0 lead.
Solomons produces a beauty to level
Chiefs responded brilliantly. Substitute Mfundo Vilakazi released Solomons on the right in the 66th minute, and what followed was a superb individual effort.
Solomons embarked on a mazy run, gliding past two defenders, cutting inside at the edge of the box and drilling a precise left-footed strike through a crowd of bodies into the bottom corner. A moment of quality made it 1–1 and put Amakhosi firmly on the front foot.
Late blunder costs Chiefs the match
As Chiefs pushed for a late winner, disaster struck against the run of play.
An 87th-minute corner from Al Masry created panic in the Chiefs area. Defender Inacio Miguel rose to clear but completely missed the ball, which bounced dangerously inside the six-yard box. Ashley Du Preez’s attempted clearance also failed, and Mohamed Hashem reacted quickest to poke home the loose ball for 2–1.
It was a bitter blow after a disciplined second half from Chiefs, whose display arguably deserved at least a point.
Amakhosi now turn to Zamalek
The defeat leaves Chiefs needing to respond quickly, with a crucial home fixture against Egyptian giants Zamalek coming up on Saturday, 29 November in Polokwane.
FULL-TIME: Al Masry SC 2–1 Kaizer Chiefs
Goals:
• Mugisha 59′ (PEN)
• Solomons 66′
• Hashem 87′
LINE-UPS
Al Masry SC (4-3-1-2):
Hamdy; El Eraki, Sobhi, Hashem, El Saadawy; Ali (Bambo 77’), Hamada (Abou El Khair 86’), Mugisha; Deghmoum (Mansour 90+1’); Temine (Al Armouty 77’), Eduwo (El Shami 86’)
Coach: Nabil Kouki
Kaizer Chiefs (4-3-3):
Petersen (c); Solomons, Kwinika, Cross, Miguel; Mthethwa, Cele, Shabalala (Maboe 80’); Mmodi (Matlou 80’), Du Preez (Silva 70’), Ighodaro (Vilakazi 63’)
Coach: Khalil Ben Youssef