Kaizer Chiefs winger Asanele Velebayi has made a bold admission as the Soweto giants prepare to face Al Masry in a CAF Confederation Cup Group D match at the Suez Stadium on Sunday.
Amakhosi are in Egypt as they bid to start their group campaign on a positive note, and Velebayi is part of the squad that travelled to North Africa. Interestingly, the former Cape Town Spurs star made his Chiefs debut in the Confederation Cup.
He was a second-half substitute when Amakhosi beat AS Simba 3-1 in a second preliminary, second-leg match at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. It is his first-ever season to play in a CAF inter-club competition.
With the Soweto giants now having reached the more demanding group stage, the 22-year-old has made what sound like honest remarks about how he is feeling.
VELEBAYI ‘NERVOUS’ BUT BANKING ON EXPERIENCED CHIEFS PLAYERS
“Obviously, it’s a big moment for me, it’s my first time travelling in Africa, to Egypt. I know it’s going to be a difficult one, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Velebayi.
“I’ve watched the [Egyptian] league before, and I know it’s difficult, but we are looking forward to it as a team.
“Obviously, for me, I’ll be honest, I’m a bit nervous. But with the guys in the team who are experienced, like [Bruce] Bvuma, and all the guys who have played in Africa before, have been helping me closely. I trust them.
“For us, the first thing is not to concede. Obviously, we are going for the three points, but not conceding will put us in a better place. So, the main thing for us is to win, but we don’t want to concede as well.”
Velebayi also opened up about how Chiefs have studied Sunday’s opponents and likened them to record-African champions Al Ahly.
“We have watched them [Al Masry], they are a top team. To be honest, I think they are on the same level as Al Ahly,” added Velebayi. “You know Al Ahly are a top team, so it is going to be difficult. We have watched the videos the whole week, we have been preparing, and we know it is going to be difficult.”
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