Kaizer Chiefs co-coach, Cedric Kaze told the assembled media on Friday that his team is well prepared to overcome AS Simba in the home leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Democratic Republic of Congo just over a week ago.

On the challenge that awaits:

We can make history this weekend and I would like to ask everyone to come and support us at Dobsonville. We know what is at stake and all the players have trained hard and are ready to do what it takes to go through.

On the state of the squad:

Mayo is out after suffering a hamstring injury in our last game against Siwelele. Miguel will have a fitness test after going off at halftime in the same match, but we are optimistic about his chances of playing. Apart from that, the players are fit and available.

On playing at Dobsonville stadium:

We are looking forward to playing there. We did some measurements and the pitch is actually slightly bigger than at FNB. It is a beautiful surface and having the crowd closer to the field gives more energy to the players, which is what we want on Sunday.

On his assessment of the team’s progress:

In the league last season, after nine games we had 11 points and this season we have five more at the same stage, and only one defeat. We got through the first (preliminary) round of the Confederation Cup. Some people are pessimistic but I believe the team has improved. Everyone knows what he has to do on Sunday and we are confident we will make it happen.

On the mental strength of the players:

This particular group hasn’t played in the groups stages of continental competition with the new format, so everyone understands that this could be historic for the Club. Playing at this level affords them invaluable bonding experience as a squad, building unity through travelling and facing unfamiliar challenges. It creates togetherness and a desire to give everything for each other and the team.

On blooding young players in the First Team:

What we are doing is part of a process and young players are part of that. They are in contention to play along with the rest of the squad but we have many important games and don’t have much opportunity to experiment. But we definitely intend to integrate them into the First Team as we progress.