Moroka Swallows goal keeper Daniel Akpeyi believes the pressure at Kaizer Chiefs may be getting to some of the new and younger players, but insists the senior players should be used to the recent challenges as the two Soweto Giants prepare to lock horns.
The Dube Birds will be looking to continue what has been a brilliant start to the their 22/23 season, having collected three wins and two draws from their last five league matches.
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The run is only bettered by third-placed Cape Town City and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, at the opposite camp, things have not gone as smoothly. Amakhosi are in 10th place after 12 matches with only two wins from their last five league matches.
Speaking to media ahead of the Soweto derby between the two teams, Akpeyi, who spent two years at Chiefs between 2019 and 2022 believes the pressure may be getting to some of the players.
"In my own opinion, I think players are different and from the few that I've come across (played with) sometimes the pressure of the institution, it can and may be wearying some of them," the shot stopper said.
"You get excited by signing for Chiefs but will you be able to face the pressure when time comes? Because there is pressure when the time comes.
"They have huge fans, playing in the league and when things don't go well will you be able to stand and face that pressure for you to be able to come out and of well.
"So for me, I think that those are some of the challenges some players might have, but for me, some of the senior players that have been there, they've seen a lot of tough times, so I don't think they are panicking but for some of the young players, that could be the challenge, I don't know.
"While I was there, it was a different scenario because we knew that with our experience, we would be expected to face such situations."
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On facing Chiefs, Akpeyi believes Amakhosi could have a point to prove when they come to Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.
"I think playing a team that is struggling a bit is a difficult one to play," Akpeyi added.
"It's not going to be an easy one on Sunday because they are looking for points everywhere and we are looking to sustain our position on the log table."
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:30.
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