For fans of KZN football, international tournaments on the African continent are rare. In fact, I don't remember any KZN club qualifying for the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederations Cup. Except for the Durban Under-19 International tournament, the 2021-2022 version of the Champions League will be the first time KZN has ever entered into international club football. It would be wonderful winning the tournament on our first attempt but what are AmaZulu's chances realistically speaking?
A DREAM: One of the oldest clubs in South Africa with a chance of, finally, getting it's first African champions star.
The draw for the groups hasn't been done yet but some of the teams that have already qualified & AmaZulu F. C. could face are: Wydad Casablanca, Al-Ahly (current champions), Espérance de Tunis, Étoile du Sahel, T. P. Mazembe, AS Maniema Union, Mamelodi Sundowns, Zesco United, Zanaco F. C., Horoya AC, CI Kamsar etc.
Now, some of these teams are regular qualifiers of this tournament & some of them are multiple champions & it may seem like Usuthu is a little out of their depths but I think if AmaZulu can analyze the danger teams like Raja Casablanca, the ever-dangerous Al-Ahly, Esperance & one or two others... analyze each player in that team & see if the AmaZulu squad can match them pound-for-pound, AmaZulu can surprise a few. We already know Sundowns from South Africa & what they're capable of from the DStv Premiership so maybe less preparation is needed for them but the Stade Maliens, ASEC Mimosas, Simba, Zesco & the Etoile du Sahels will need some analysing & preparation as we may have never faced their type of football in South Africa before. Maybe using a few out-of-the-box tactics for when we're up against a better squad & we'll stand a good chance. If Benni isn't available, we could call on various coaches that have played in CAF club tournaments & some that have won African club tournaments that are familiar with AmaZulu & what the club stands for to fill the position.
Even if some are already expecting no less than victory, I think getting past the group stages would be victory enough for me & the experience obtained in international club football on the continent would help us do better should we get another shot at being African champions. #ProudlyKZN