Kaizer Chiefs' Asanele Velebayi: The wait to be cleared to play took its toll on me but credit to my mental strength as I was able to wait for my turn

Asanele Velebayi has disclosed the relief and joy he had after being cleared to play for Kaizer Chiefs following the legal wrangling from his previous club, Cape Town Spurs.

As much as the situation was taking its toll on him mentally, Velebayi revealed he has to take credit for his ability to cross that hard path.

“Compliments to myself for being strong mentally and keeping fit and staying ready and believing that it will happen. It has happened and I’m here. To remain focused and just be ready,” he told the media.

“It was a tough moment for me, not only for me but my family as well, but again I would like to give compliments to myself for staying focused. Just keeping fit and staying ready because I didn’t know what was going to happen.

The former Cape Town Spurs man said the Chiefs move was like a dream come true for him as it changed his life.

“I wanted to join but didn’t know what will happen. Obviously it has been a huge change to my life not only as a footballer but a person as well because Kaizer Chiefs is a big club. It has changed me a lot but also helped me focus more because of the pressure and the lifestyle outside football which has helped me stay focused more knowing that there are sacrifices to be made. There are things that I cannot do and it has been positive in that way,” he said.

In Chiefs' 1-0 victory last night against Golden Arrows, Velebayi was an unused substitute.