Johannesburg – The scene has been set for north versus south football rivalry when South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs clashes with Egypt’s Al Ahly to determine the kings of the 2021 African Champions League at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco tonight at 9pm.
And Amakhosi players have expressed their desire to bring the African championship trophy home for the first in the history of the club founded in 1970.
It’s milestone achievement to reach the CAF Champions League final and possibly win it, both for the players and the club that prides itself for having won very domestic competition in the history of the PSL and its predecessors, the NSL and NPSL.
Chiefs midfield dynamo Happy Mashiane, who has played his part in four Champions League matches until before the final, said while growing up his Amakhosi hero was the legendary Thabo Mooki.
“Before I left South Africa I was on a call with my mum, and I promised her I will do my best and make her proud,” said the diminutive Mashiane, speaking from the Chiefs camp in Moroccan coastal city of Casablanca.
“I promised her I will bring it (trophy) home and I need to make sure I keep my promise.
“It is something (winning the trophy) that everyone is hoping to achieve. I feel lucky to achieve this (being in the final) at an early age. Therefore, I shall cherish it and be happy that I was able to do it.”
“We are mentally prepared. We will go out there on Saturday night and do our best. We have worked hard to reach the final. Now we need to work extra hard. We promised many, many people that we’re going to take this thing back home. We will work extra hard.”
Mashiane said fans greeted them on arrival at the airport on Wednesday. “We do feel the vibe. People were waiting for us at the airport, and the vibe gets to you.
“Playing [a] final where there are no supporters is not something we are going to get used to. Football is a game that needs supporters for us to feel the atmosphere.
“Playing the final without supporters is not great. When you have supporters, they will cheer and it makes you want to do better. Without the supporters, it won’t be easy, but we will work extra hard.”
Soweto Glamour Boys midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo said they want to win the CAF Champions League final in the stipulated 29 minutes would not want the match to go to extra time or penalties.
“The training (in Casablanca) was very nice, we enjoyed ourselves and we are focused on the main mission now. Preparations have been very good, so we are looking forward to the game,” said the soft-spoken Ngcobo.
“It is a bit hot, but not too bad compared to [back home] in South Africa. The training we had relaxed us, and we have the energy. We are feeling fresh. Everyone is on their toes.
“I’m ready, my body is ready, although we haven’t played a match for some time, but we have prepared very well. We will fight.
“We just want to play them now, obviously we need to be careful and execute the game-plan very well. We want to finish it in 90 minutes.”
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