Kaizer Chiefs have arrived in Egypt knowing that their CAF Confederation Cup fate will be decided in a high stakes final group clash against Zamalek and midfielder Lebo Maboe believes this is exactly the kind of occasion the squad was built for.

Chiefs head into the decisive fixture leading the group on 10 points, followed by Zamalek on eight and Al Masry on seven, while Zesco United are already out of contention with three points. A draw will be enough for Amakhosi to secure passage to the next round, but defeat could open the door for the chasing pack in what has effectively become a do or die contest.

“These are the type of games we came here to play,” Maboe said ahead of the encounter. “When you sign for a big team, you want to be in hostile environments, where the odds are stacked against you. Once you step onto the pitch, the crowd doesn’t matter and what matters is focusing on your job and putting the team through. We’ll need one another, we’ll need to pull in the same direction, but we’ve got strong leaders and a strong team. If we work together, I don’t see us not qualifying.”

The Soweto giants are under no illusions about the challenge that awaits them in Ismailia. Maboe acknowledged both the magnitude of the occasion and the difficulty of facing Zamalek in their own backyard, especially with progression to the last eight of the competition on the line.

“We know it’s going to be very difficult. It’s not going to come easy,” he said. “But as players we’ve spoken among ourselves and we understand what needs to be done to make sure the team goes to the next round. That’s our main focus right now and making sure we get through.”

Chiefs and Zamalek shared the points in their previous meeting in Polokwane, a result that kept the group finely balanced in the opening round of the group stage. The task now is to replicate the resilience shown in that encounter while being clinical in front of goal. Maboe pointed to encouraging signs in the team’s attacking play.

“The most important thing is that we are creating chances. Credit must go to our frontline players for getting into those positions. It shows we’re doing something right. Of course, it would be better with a higher conversion rate, but the players are working hard to make sure we start finishing the chances we create.”

The last outing against Al Masry offered a glimpse of that progress. Chiefs found the net twice at home last weekend, a performance that characterised their ability to turn opportunity into impact when it matters. In a fixture where even a single goal could define the outcome, the Glamour Boys will draw confidence from that display, knowing that if they create again in Ismailia and find the back of the net, the point they need, or even more, will be within reach.