Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma has stressed the importance of their continental experience ahead of the team’s CAF Confederation Cup clash with Al Masry.
Only two of the players from the Amakhosi squad that arrived in Egypt on Thursday morning remain from the side that reached the 2021 CAF Champions League final in Morocco, where they lost 3-0 to Al Ahly.
The ‘survivors’, Bvuma and Nkosingiphile ‘Mshini’ Ngcobo, go into the Group D fixture against Al Masry in Suez, Egypt, on Sunday with continental experience from four years ago.
“Being back is very exciting. I am lucky enough to have reached a CAF final and remember how sweet the journey was,” Bvuma told Chiefs media.
“Yes, we had challenges along the way but it was a great experience. Playing on the continent, you get exposure, which has led to some of our players moving abroad after doing well against other top African teams.
“Having players with experience of playing at this level, such as ‘Mshini’ and also (Khanyisa) Mayo, (Inacio) Miguel and Lebo (Maboe), will help us a lot.”
Of Al Masry, the 30-year-old said, “We know they are a very good team that will play with typical North African determination so we are prepared for a tussle.
“But I believe we have the players in our squad to cope with the challenge and return with a positive result. It is always great to get three points and that is what we will be aiming for.
“We don’t want to reach the last round with the pressure of needing to win. But it is equally important to ensure we don’t lose our first game, which will put us on the back foot.”
