Kaizer Chiefs’ return to continental action against Egypt’s Al Masry in their opening match of the CAF Confederation Cup group stages carries deep personal meaning for head coach Khalil Ben Youssef.

The match brings together two Tunisian tacticians on opposite benches, with Yousef leading Amakhosi and Nabil Kouki guiding Al Masry. For Coach Khalil, Kouki is not just a colleague, but a figure he admired long before he began his own coaching journey.

“I think coach Nabil Kouki is one of the best coaches in Tunisia. We learn from him. He was playing for Club Africain, the team I supported. I was one of his supporters watching him play. As a coach he has the experience, many trophies and good results,” he explains.

Their history stretches back more than two decades. In 2001, Kouki featured for Tunisia’s Club Africain in the CAF Cup Winners Cup semifinal against Amakhosi, playing the full 90 minutes in both legs. The Glamour Boys famously won the match 3-0 on aggregate. At the time, the current Chiefs mentor was just 13 years old, watching a player he admired compete against the very club he leads today.

“For me, facing a coach that I looked up to makes this occasion more meaningful,” the coach reflects.

This weekend carries even more emotion for the Chiefs coach as he celebrated his birthday on 21 November.

“I want to thank everyone who wished me well on my birthday,” he says in appreciation for the numerous well wishes he received. “I hope the players will gift me with a win on Sunday.”

If the mood around the Chiefs camp is anything to go by, that gift may well be on the way. Amakhosi arrive at the fixture on the back of encouraging form, and Ben Youssef believes the confidence in the squad is rising at just the right moment.

“It’s very important how we start the group stage to give us more confidence,” he explains. “I think we are confident and hopeful the result will go our way.”

A positive beginning would not only set the tone for Chiefs’ continental campaign but also build momentum ahead of their looming showdown against Egyptian giants Zamalek in Polokwane a few days later.

With history, respect, emotion and ambition all tied into this opening match, Sunday promises to be a meaningful occasion for Yousef and the Amakhosi family. The coach is already looking forward to reviewing the team’s performance after the final whistle.

“We look forward to after the match, where we can discuss player performances,” he adds, suggesting he already trusts the effort his squad will give.

The clash may be filed as a group stage fixture, but for the 38 year old, it’s much more. It is history revisited, a dream reshaped and a boyhood hero standing across the technical area. And perhaps if his players keep their promise, it will be a birthday gift wrapped in three points.