CAF Confederation Cup – Chiefs star ready for Zamalek’s hostility: Bring it on!

Zamalek and Al Ahly – biggest teams in Egypt, are known for their huge following and passionate fans who can intimidate rival teams to motivate their players to victory.

Kaizer Chiefs are expecting more or the same on Saturday when they face the 2024 champions at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup outing. This is a massive game that the Glamour Boys need at least a point to top the pool.

It explains why the White Knight will be relying on their supporters to fill the stadium and cheer the players to three points and a place in the last eight of the annual competition.

However, Amakhosi midfielder Lebohang Maboe is unfazed by the potential hostility brought about by the rival supporters. He insists the players are psychologically prepared for the same.

I don’t see us not qualifying

“These are the type of games I came here to play. When you sign for a big team, you want to be in hostile environments, where the odds are stacked against you,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns player told the club’s media team ahead of the weekend’s fixture.

“Once you step onto the pitch, the crowd doesn’t matter and what matters is focusing on your job and putting the team through. We’ll need one another, we’ll need to pull in the same direction, but we’ve got strong leaders and a strong team.

“If we work together, I don’t see us not qualifying. We know it’s going to be very difficult. It’s not going to come easy,” he further said.

“But as players, we’ve spoken among ourselves and we understand what needs to be done to make sure the team goes to the next round. That’s our main focus right now and making sure we get through,” Maboe concluded.