Mashamaite calm ahead of Caf Confed Cup final
Veteran centre-back Tefu Mashamaite is set to start for SuperSport United as the club prepares for the Caf Confederation Cup first-leg final against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
Tefu Mashamaite (Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix)
Although this may be the club’s biggest game in its 24-year existence, Mashamaite is, however, reluctant to label the final as his biggest stage, insisting he will treat this as a normal 90-minutes game in order not to put any pressure on himself.
“A game is a game, it is not like it is going to be 170 minutes,” the ex-Kaizer Chiefs captain told Phakaaathi.
“I have played a lot of big games in my career so I don’t see how I should treat this as the biggest game in my career. I am not going to pressurize myself and say this is the biggest game of my life. It is 11 versus 11 and it is just about calming my nerves and hope for the best,” he added.
Having met the Congolese side twice already in the group stages, the former Bidvest Wits captain is aware of what to expect from Mazembe, much like they are aware of what SuperSport are capable of.
“We gave them pretty much an idea of who we are but this is a different ball game, it is final, we have to be up to it.
“They have the experience, they have won the Champions League and they are the defending champions so they will want to give us a run for our money,” said Mashamaite.
