A host of Chiefs players were involved with their various national teams in Africa Cup of Nations Qualification matches this past weekend, among the Bafana Bafana squad who opened up group G with a win over Niger were four Chiefs players.

While defender Valery Nahayo undertook a tough away trip with Burundi to face Benin in Cotonou and Thomas Sweswe and Knowledge Musona helped earn Zimbabwe a draw in tough conditions away to Liberia in a Group A encounter in Paynesville outside of the Liberian capital Monrovia.

Itumeleng Khune kept his second consecutive clean sheet for Bafana Bafana as South Africa defeated Niger 2-0 in Nelspruit on Saturday evening, Khune was mostly quiet but he did have to make a save off a powerful effort from Niger’s Moussa Maazou who plays his club football in France with Bordeaux, in the first half of the match.

Siphwie Tshabalala also started the game and put in another workman-like performance in the midfield, with Egypt and Sierra Leone the other teams in the group playing to a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening it means that South Africa head group G after the first round of games.

Knowledge Musona was on target for Zimbabwe in the 30th minute of their 1-1 draw against Liberia, the Chiefs striker scoring a well taken goal as he took advantage of a defensive lapse in the home defence.

Musona was a constant threat to the Liberian backline and had it not been for the heroics of their goalkeeper Sundeh Babadou the Chiefs striker could well have won all three points for Zimbabwe.

Amakhosi defender Thomas Sweswe also featured in the match for ‘The Warriors’ who are aiming to qualify for their third Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Zimbabwe are second in the group behind leaders Mali.

Valery Nahayo and his Burundi teammates managed to leave Benin with a point as they snatched a late equaliser to draw their Group H game in Cotonou, Mickael Pote had given the hosts the lead in the second minute.

Burundi found an 85th minute leveller through Didier Kavumabagu, to see them earn a commendable draw in challenging conditions away from home. They are in second spot on the table behind group favourites and current leaders the Ivory Coast.