CAF Champions League: Amazulu Chomping at the Bit for Their Inaugural CCL Match

• Debutants Amazulu are determined to more than make up the numbers in their inaugural CAF Champions League campaign
• Midfielder Keagan Buchanan has his eyes set on upsetting former winners Raja Casablanca, a giant of the competition
• Usuthu have acquired smartly for the tournament, with several players who have experience in the demanding competition

AmaZulu midfielder Keagan Buchanan says they can’t let nerves show as they prepare to make their debut in the pool stages of the CAF Champions League with a tough away encounter at Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.

The latter are the current holders of the CAF Confederation Cup and among the biggest teams on the continent, providing a baptism of fire for Usuthu. But Buchanan says that while they respect their opponents, they cannot be overawed by the occasion.

According to Supersport.com, Buchanan said:

"It is a great experience for us being in the Champions League for the first time, and a big honour for the club. We are excited and looking forward to the game. Playing a big team like that, we will give them the respect because they have earned it. But on the field, in the 90 minutes, we will go out there with our plan to get a result.”

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AmaZulu do have a number of players who have featured in the Champions League before, mostly through their large contingent of former Orlando Pirates stars.

Buchanan said that will certainly help them in the campaign:

"Their experience is needed in matches like this, but for those who have not played before it is a nice to challenge the best in Africa. Obviously it is a learning curve for us, but we can't go there and be nervous or anything like that.

"We have to take it as any other game, even though we know the magnitude of the match.”

Benni McCarthy wakes up, chooses violence: "We should get knighted!"

Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy has demanded that he be respected for what he has achieved with the club.

As Sports Brief reported, since being appointed by Amazulu in December 2020, McCarthy and his assistant have performed something of a miracle, transforming a team that lingered in the relegation zone to one that was very competitive.

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The bullish McCarthy said:

"No one could have achieved what we've done. Not that I'm arrogant, but for what he have achieved, we should get knighted. Sir Benni Makhathini, Sir [Moeneeb] Josephs, Sir Siyabonga Nomvethe, Sir Vasili Manousakis... we deserve to be knighted for what we've done with Amazulu."