Kaizer Chiefs confidence high before Mamelodi Sundowns test, says Velebayi

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Asanele Velebayi says the club’s confidence and mentality are strong as they prepare to face African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00, with Chiefs aiming to extend their perfect start to the league season. They have won both of their opening fixtures, beating newcomers Kruger United before overcoming Sekhukhune United.

That encouraging run has given Chiefs belief before a significantly tougher assignment against Sundowns, who are the reigning CAF Champions League champions.

Velebayi acknowledged the scale of the challenge but said Chiefs were approaching the match with confidence built from their recent results.

“We are playing against African champions, so I can imagine how tough that is going to be, but we are going into this game with the confidence from winning our last game,” Velebayi told the media during their pre-match press conference.

“I will say the confidence is high. The mentality is high because we know what is required.”

Chiefs secured a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune on Wednesday, a result which was made particularly significant for Velebayi by the opening goal scored by fellow attacking midfielder Luke Baartman.

Baartman’s strike was his first for the club and has encouraged Velebayi as he continues to search for his own opening goal of the campaign.

The pair have known each other since their time in the youth set-up at Ajax Cape Town, now known as Cape Town Spurs. Velebayi said Baartman’s achievement felt personal because of their close relationship and shared history.

“Baartman getting his first goal against Sekhukhune was inspiring for me. It was also a happy moment because we came together from the youth of Ajax Cape Town, which is now Cape Town Spurs. So seeing him scoring was almost like me scoring my first goal because he’s like a brother to me. We came a long way, so that was a proud moment.”

The 23-year-old also discussed the demands of working under new Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz.

Velebayi described Da Cruz as a coach who expects players to continue improving, even when they believe they have already delivered their best performance.

“What I have picked up about coach Da Cruz is that he is a very demanding coach. Even when you feel like you are doing your best, he always wants extra.”

Chiefs will now look to carry the momentum from their victories over Kruger United and Sekhukhune United into Saturday’s meeting with Masandawana.

The fixture at FNB Stadium will test whether Chiefs can maintain their winning start against the club that currently holds the CAF Champions League title. Velebayi said the team understood what would be needed to claim victory at home.

His comments were reported by Sowetan.