Moroka Swallows keeper Daniel Akpeyi says facing Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday will be like two lions meeting in battle.
Swallows host fellow Soweto giants in a DStv Premiership encounter at the Dobsonville Stadium at 3.30pm.
The visitors are emotionally scarred after losing to Orlando Pirates in a disappointing Soweto derby clash two weeks ago.
Nevertheless, Akpeyi said the Dube Birds will not be taking the game against his former side for granted.
“Playing a team that is struggling is always difficult, so it’s not going to be an easy game altogether.”
Akpeyi was addressing journalists during a media open day at the Sturrock Park training facility at the Wits University in Johannesburg on Thursday morning,
“They will be desperately looking for points while we will be looking to sustain our position on the log. So, this will be a case of two lions in the battlefield at Dobsonville on Sunday.
“But we know what to expect and we are more than prepared for the test.”
Akpeyi was in the books of Amakhosi for a duration of three seasons. He parted ways with the club at the end of the 2021-22 season after being deemed surplus to requirements.
Given the recent struggles Amakhosi have faced in recent seasons, the 36-year-old Nigeria international said donning the Chiefs jersey comes with a lot of pressure.
“The pressure that comes with playing for the institution of Chiefs’ calibre might be overwhelming to some.
Pressure of playing for Chiefs
“We always get excited when signing for Kaizer Chiefs but the pressure that comes with it is difficult. Playing in front of large crowds and just having the ability to come out and do well [adds to the pressure].
“While I was there, it was a different scenario for the senior players because we always knew, with our experience, that we are expected to face such situations.
“For some of the junior players sucking up the pressure of playing for Chiefs is their challenge.”
At position five on the league table, Swallows are five places above Chiefs but not necessarily flying easily after drawing two of their last three matches. However, one key matter in the Birds campaign is that the team is bouyant after cutting down on defeats.
They have lost just two in 10 Premiership fixtures so far this season.
Meanwhile, Akpeyi is not the only former Chiefs man in action. Swallows coach, Steve Komphela, will be determined to plot the fall of his former team.
