Kaizer Chiefs defender Anthony Akumu feels while they might be seen as 'underdogs' against Wydad Athletic Club, it is a tag worth carrying in this instance.
Chiefs' 18-man squad departed for Burkina Faso on Friday morning ahead of their CAF Champions League Group C encounter away to Moroccan giants Wydad on Sunday evening.
The match will take place in Ouagadougou after Amakhosi were denied entry into Morocco, who have placed a ban on travellers from South Africa amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Akumu, who has established himself as a key figure in central defence under coach Gavin Hunt, believes the neutral ground coupled with their diminished image on the continent makes for some advantage headed into this weekend's tie.
"First of all, I'm grateful to be among the travelling squad. I think the spirit is there and everyone is eager because, as you saw, we didn't get maximum points in the last game," Akumu told the club's media prior to departure from OR Tambo International Airport.
"But coming to this now, we believe and trust that we prepared well, and we are ready for the game.
Check out Chiefs' 18-man travelling squad to face Wydad
"Wydad Athletic are a good side, they've been in the competition – I don't know how many years – and they have been doing well, they are a semi-finalist or quarter-finalist team because every time they are there.
"On our side, maybe we will look like underdogs but that's a good sign because maybe they don't know us, and we don't know them, so that's another good thing.
"We'll just go there, play our game the way we know and do our best to get maximum points. Playing on a neutral ground is even better because it's a place they are also not familiar with."