Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has thrown his voice to suggestions that Saturday's CAF Champions League match against Al Ahly is a battle against their former coach Pitso Mosimane.
Mosimane is back home on familiar territory with Al Ahly this week for this Group A contest being played at FNB Stadium almost a year after his last visit saw placards with foul language directed towards him by some Sundowns fans.
As is known Mosimane spent eight years enjoying success at Sundowns before leaving for Al Ahly in October 2020.
"He was our coach but at the same time it is not about the coach," points out the veteran keeper who was signed by Mosimane from Free State Stars in June 2013.
"This is Sundowns against Al Ahly so for us I think we have to go into the game and do what we have to do. We all have respect for coach Pitso because a lot of us were coached by him, but I have to say it is about Sundowns and Al Ahly and not us and coach Pitso," says Mweene.
The Zambian was the star man in the reverse fixture in Cairo and has continued to prove his worth despite not having been the regular first choice for most of his nine years at Chloorkop.
He shares his views on Saturday's game, being group leaders, playing at FNB instead of in Tshwane, and how he keeps going at his age.
"It will be tough because at the end of the day we are playing at home, so people expect us to win. So, that is extra pressure for us, but we are used to playing under pressure. Like always Al Ahly and Sundowns is always a tough game.
"I think for us we are in a good space and collecting points as soon as possible is what we wanted to do. We still have pressure but not as much as the other teams following us but for us is to continue winning and maintain our first spot.
"First game we played in Rustenburg so there is nothing that we can do rather than to go and play. At the end of the day, we are playing at home, and we are used to playing at FNB. It is about the country at the moment and not about the PSL, so I think we are okay with it and looking forward to Saturday.
"You must always remain positive and train smart especially when you're at my age. It all goes back to training and the kind of training we do with coach Wendell (Robinson). I'm not too old because at 37 I can still push. At my age, you must look after yourself and see what you put into your system, so it is always about looking after yourself," says Mweene.