Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Asanele Velebayi understands the pressure that comes with the Amakhosi jersey.
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Asanele Velebayi is well aware of the pressure that comes with playing for Kaizer Chiefs, which is why he remains focused on himself and his contribution to the team as he looks to overcome adversity.
Velebayi joined Chiefs at the start of the season, but his debut was delayed due to a contractual dispute between Amakhosi and his former club, Cape Town Spurs, following the latter’s relegation to the amateur ranks.
While the 23-year-old expressed frustration about his delayed start to life at his boyhood club – having spent time in the wilderness without clear direction regarding his career – he remains grateful to Spurs.
Born in Philippi in Cape Town, Velebayi cut his football teeth at Spurs’ revered academy, iKamva. From there, he went on to feature for the first team, including making his top-flight breakthrough after the side earned promotion during the 2022/23 season.
However, their stay was short-lived as they endured back-to-back relegations and now compete in the ABC Motsepe League.
Velebayi has since come to understand the pressure that comes with playing for Chiefs – a club with the largest support base in the country – as his life has changed both on and off the pitch.
“It’s so different because this is a big brand,” he said of the difference between Spurs and Chiefs.
“In a positive way, it can make you stronger if you have a good game, but it can also break you if you don’t. But I don’t really want to focus on that.
“For me, the first thing is to control what I can do on the pitch. So, I don’t really pay much attention to what’s being said outside.”
Velebayi has made a decent start to life at Chiefs, making eight appearances in all competitions, though he is still searching for his first goal contribution.
An explosive midfielder who enjoys taking on defenders, Velebayi often uses his pace and skill to create opportunities for teammates. However, given his lack of goals and assists so far, he admits he wants to change his approach.
“I have individual goals that I have set for myself, and there are requirements from the coaches as well. So, I know the stats are not on my side. I want to score more now, because I have been trying to assist,” Velebayi said.
There would be no better time for Velebayi to open his account for Amakhosi than when they host Durban City at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm kick-off).
Chiefs head into the clash under pressure to win as they look to snap a four-game winless streak across all competitions.
That run has also increased pressure on both the players and co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who are aiming to return to winning ways while pushing for at least a top-three finish in the league.
Velebayi, however, expects a tough encounter against the Citizens, who are enjoying a strong run of form in both the league and the Nedbank Cup.
“I think they are a team that shows character. We saw against Golden Arrows that they were a man down, but they kept going,” Velebayi said.
“Their resilience and mindset are evident, so we certainly know what we are coming up against.”
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch