Kaizer Chiefs winger Asanele Velebayi has opened up on his life at Naturena after joining the Soweto giants during the last PSL player transfer window.
The 22-year-old joined Amakhosi from Cape Town Spurs, though his move was shrouded in a boardroom battle. The wideman has, so far, made four appearances for Chiefs in the Betway Premiership and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Having previously admitted that he was nervous ahead of Amakhosi’s Confederation Cup clash with Al Masry, he says he has now fully settled at Chiefs. He is yet to score a goal or provide an assist, but the player says he does not feel any pressure.
“Obviously, being a new player at Kaizer Chiefs, I don’t want to say there is pressure, but it’s about adapting every day, learning every day because this is a big brand,” said Velebayi.
“For me personally, I’m taking it game by game, my confidence is slowly building up as compared to when I made my debut, when I was a little bit nervous. So it’s learning every day, adapting.
“The more I get the minutes, the more I get the confidence. So, I just say I’m adapting very good at the club.”
CHIEFS TARGET ENDING THE YEAR ON A HIGH AS TS GALAXY LIE IN WAIT
Amakhosi are coming from the midweek 0-0 Betway Premiership draw with basement side Chippa United away at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. It was a missed opportunity by the Soweto giants to set themselves up to conclude the year on top of the log.
Victory against the Chilli Boys would have left them with three points fewer than leaders Orlando Pitates. Then, a big-margin win over mid-table side TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday could have catapulted them to the summit.
But after dropping points in Gqeberha, they can now only end the year in second place, their highest position. The Soweto giants now need to beat the Rockets by at least seven goals to go second from their current fifth position. Just any margin win will carry them to third spot going into the AFCON break.
“Dropping points always drives you to push for maximum points in the next game. You don’t want to drop points, you always want to get three every game,” Velebayi went on.
“So, dropping points gives you the hunger, the drive to make sure you go all out in the next game.
“I have been watching them closely; they are in a pretty decent form, so going into that game, I know for sure that it’s going to be intense. We will be looking to go all out.
“We just need the right mindset from everyone who will be playing. They have been in good form and we don’t take it lightly. It’s going to be a tough game.”
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