Asanele Velebayi Says Kaizer Chiefs Confidence Is High Ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns Clash

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Asanele Velebayi believes the confidence and mentality inside the Amakhosi camp are at their highest as the Soweto giants prepare to host Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium. Chiefs have made a perfect start to the Betway Premiership season, winning their opening two league matches against Kruger United and Sekhukhune United. That winning run has created a positive atmosphere around Naturena after the club endured disappointment in the MTN8. The next challenge, however, will be significantly tougher, with Sundowns arriving as the reigning African champions and one of the strongest teams in South African football. Velebayi insists Chiefs are ready for the test and believes their recent victories have given the squad the belief required to compete against one of the continent’s biggest clubs.

The match against Mamelodi Sundowns represents an early opportunity for Chiefs to measure their progress under new head coach Fernando Da Cruz. Amakhosi have collected six points from their first two league matches and will be aiming to make it three wins from three when the Brazilians visit FNB Stadium on Saturday. Velebayi recognises the quality of the opposition but says the Chiefs players are approaching the fixture with confidence rather than fear. The midfielder acknowledged that facing the African champions will demand a high level of performance from every player. He also believes the team’s current mentality has prepared them to deal with the pressure associated with such a high-profile encounter.

Velebayi explained that the confidence within the Chiefs camp comes directly from the team’s recent results. The 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United provided an important response after their disappointing MTN8 quarter-final exit to Lamontville Golden Arrows. Chiefs needed to recover quickly from that setback and did so by producing a disciplined league performance. The result followed their opening victory against Kruger United, giving the Soweto club maximum points from its first two league fixtures. Velebayi believes that momentum has created a strong foundation ahead of the demanding encounter with Sundowns.

The midfielder also highlighted the importance of mentality when preparing to face a team of Sundowns’ stature. Chiefs know they will be competing against a side that has established itself as a dominant force in South African football while also achieving success on the African stage. That reality means Amakhosi will need to remain disciplined throughout the match and avoid allowing the reputation of their opponents to influence their approach. Velebayi’s comments suggest that the Chiefs squad believes it has the ability to compete with the best when it maintains focus. The players will now have the opportunity to turn that confidence into a performance on the pitch.

Much of the renewed optimism at Naturena has been linked to the arrival of Da Cruz and his demanding approach to coaching. Velebayi described the French coach as someone who constantly expects more from his players, even when they believe they have already delivered their best effort. That approach has created a demanding training environment where players are encouraged to improve their standards every day. The midfielder believes this intensity has helped the squad become more disciplined and focused since the start of the domestic campaign. The early results suggest that the players have responded positively to the coach’s methods, although the Sundowns match will provide a much stronger test of that progress.

Da Cruz has also been credited with introducing tactical changes that have improved Chiefs’ organisation and discipline. The team has shown greater control during its opening league matches and has managed to secure results while keeping its focus on the demands of the new system. For Velebayi, the coach’s insistence on pushing players beyond their comfort zones has created an environment where improvement remains a daily requirement. This could prove important against Sundowns, a side known for its technical quality and ability to punish mistakes. Chiefs will need to maintain concentration from the opening whistle if they want their unbeaten league start to continue.

Another source of encouragement for Velebayi has been the progress of his teammate Luke Baartman. The young forward scored his first goal of the season during the 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United, providing another positive moment for the squad. Velebayi has a particularly strong connection with Baartman because the two players came through the youth ranks together at Ajax Cape Town, now known as Cape Town Spurs. Their shared history has created a relationship that goes beyond simply being teammates at Chiefs. Velebayi described Baartman’s goal as a proud moment and said watching him score felt almost like scoring himself.

Baartman’s goal also illustrates the importance of competition and encouragement within the Chiefs squad. Players who have grown together through youth football can provide each other with additional motivation as they attempt to establish themselves at senior level. For Velebayi, seeing Baartman contribute directly to a league victory reinforced the sense that the squad has individuals capable of making important contributions. That collective spirit could become valuable during a long Premier Soccer League campaign. Chiefs will need players across the squad to step forward if they want to compete consistently against the strongest teams.

The upcoming clash at FNB Stadium will therefore offer Chiefs more than another opportunity to collect three points. It will show whether the team’s impressive opening results can translate into a strong performance against the current benchmark of South African football. Sundowns possess experience, quality and a proven record of competing at the highest level, making them a formidable opponent for any PSL side. Chiefs will have the advantage of playing at home, where the support of their supporters could provide an important boost. Velebayi and his teammates will need to combine that home advantage with the discipline and intensity demanded by Da Cruz.

A victory over Sundowns would send a powerful message about the direction of the new Chiefs project. Three consecutive league wins would strengthen the team’s position at the top of the early standings while also increasing belief among supporters that the club can compete for major honours. It would also provide evidence that the tactical changes introduced under Da Cruz are beginning to produce results against high-quality opposition. However, Chiefs will know that one victory would not define their entire season. Consistency will remain the key requirement if the club wants to transform its strong opening into a serious challenge for silverware.

Asanele Velebayi’s confidence reflects the mood around Kaizer Chiefs after their perfect start to the Betway Premiership campaign. The midfielder believes the squad has developed a stronger mentality under Fernando Da Cruz and is ready to face the demanding challenge presented by Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs have already shown that they can respond to setbacks, but the clash with the African champions will provide their biggest test of the young season. A strong performance at FNB Stadium could strengthen the belief that Amakhosi are moving in the right direction under their new coach. With confidence high, six points already secured and the home crowd behind them, Chiefs now have the chance to turn their promising start into a statement against one of the continent’s leading clubs.