Brandon Petersen: It must be known Kaizer Chiefs are defending champions

The launch of the final domestic cup competition took place in Sandton last night, with Amakhosi drawn in a mouthwatering Last 32 clash against familiar foes Stellenbosch FC.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, Petersen, who is hoping to get his first taste of cup action against Stellies after sitting out of their last two knockout meetings, says they need to show up as reigning champions when they begin their title defence next month.

"Stellenbosch again, you know for me, third time lucky. It's always an exciting fixture, you know, going to Cape Town, playing Stellenbosch. We have our faithful supporters there, coming out in their numbers, backing us and history has shown you know that this fixture is entertaining football,” Petersen said.

“You know, the goals we've scored, excitement, so we're looking forward to it and going into this season's Nedbank Cup we are going with new confidence as defending champions. 

“So, for us it's that shift of mindset knowing that every game is important for us, from the first minute as we step on to that field it must be known that we're the defending champions and we have no plans on giving our trophy up because we want to bring it back to Naturena."

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Having gone into the last edition of the Ke Yona cup with a cloud of being trophyless for nearly a decade, Chiefs are now motivated to build on their current status as champions, says Petersen.

"I think for us it's motivation, knowing that we've done it in the past and last season wasn't an easy road to the final and to winning this trophy. So, we know we can do it, so it gives us that boost, that confidence to say that you know we've done it in the past, we can do it again,: he added. 

“It's for us having that belief and that mindset that from the first game it's not just us trying to win the trophy but it's us defending our title. So, we wanna bring it back home and we have to go with that mindset from the first game. 

“So, I know the guys are gonna be excited to get the Nedbank started, we are looking forward to it and it's gonna be a big one."