Kaizer Chiefs winger Asanele Velebayi has revealed his main objectives for the current season as he aims to make a far greater impact at Naturena following his move from Cape Town Spurs.
The 23-year-old arrived at Amakhosi early in the last campaign, coming in from Cape Town Spurs FC. It was his second season playing Betway Premiership football, having previously tasted action in the top-flight league at CT Spurs before they were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
But his debut season at Amakhosi did not match the hype that surrounded his transfer to the Soweto giants as the Urban Warriors attempted to cling on to him. In the 15 appearances across all competitions last season, Velebayi failed to score a single goal or make an assist.
He then started the current term on the back foot after missing the matchday squad for Chiefs’ Betway Premiership campaign opener, when they beat Kruger United 3-1 at Mbombela Stadium, and sitting out the MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Golden Arrows FC. He, however, started in the 2-0 league win over Sekhukhune United, before being an unused substitute against Mamelodi Sundowns.
That was followed by a 14-minute appearance in Amakhosi’s last match against Richards Bay FC, and he provided an assist for Siphesihle Ndlovu’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw. Velebayi then did not make the matchday squad for the 3-2 league victory over Siwelele FC last weekend.
ASANELE VELEBAYI SPELLS OUT SEASON ASPIRATIONS AT KAIZER CHIEFS
Velebayi has given what sounds like an honest verdict on his performances last season as he vows to improve.
“For me personally, [my target], first of all, is to play as much as possible and help the team, and score as much as I can. If not scoring, I should assist,” Velebayi told FARPost.
“When it comes to the team, we want to win every game and that will determine where we will end up. So, for us it’s about winning each and every game. As I said, it’s winning every game, taking each and every game. It doesn’t matter who our opponent is. So, it is about dealing with who is in front of us at the moment. I don’t want to call out names, but it’s just winning every game.”
He added: “I’m not entirely happy [about how I played in the previous campaign], but last season was more [about gaining] experience. So, this season I know I’ll be looking to reach my full potential and help the team.”
VELEBAYI ON WORKING WITH KAIZER CHIEFS COACH DA CRUZ
The right winger was signed by former Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi but spent the better part of the season playing under co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Now, Fernando da Cruz is in charge at Naturena and Velebayi talks about how it feels working with the Frenchman who joined the club before the start of this campaign.
“The coach is a very demanding coach. That’s the positive thing about him. That’s what I like about him, that he is a demanding coach. He is always looking for 100 percent.” added Velebayi.
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