“I feel good,” comments Kaizer Chiefs defender Lorenzo Gordinho ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash against Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas.

“We are ready for the match.”

“They beat us in 2014 over two legs in the Confederations Cup,” the young defender looks back. “I was still inexperienced at the time. However, I have since grown as a player and gained a lot of experience.”

After being knocked out of the Champions League two years ago, Chiefs faced Asec in the Confederations Cup, only to lose 2-1 at home and 1-0 in Ivory Coast.

Amakhosi now take on the legendary Ivorian soccer club in the much-awaited first leg of the African Champions League’s first round at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 12 March (kick-off is at 19:30)..

“They are a good side and they have a rich history of success on the African continent,” says Gordinho about Asec Mimosas, which won the Champions League in 1998. “They are definitely a side to be reckoned with. We want to beat them at home to gain an advantage for the away leg, although it promises to be a tough encounter.”

Gordinho rallied the Amakhosi supporters and South African soccer fans in general to attend the game in big numbers: “When we visit Asec next week in Abidjan, they will have the full backing of their people. I therefore wish to see South Africans come to the game in force.”

The medical team confirmed that Reneilwe Letsholonyane is still out. However, he’s set to return to action next week.

The match will not be televised.

Tickets for this CAF Champions League fixture will be sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide for R60.