"I still get flashbacks about it" - Happy Mashiane


By Neo Poho

Amid Kaizer Chiefs' potential return to the CAF Champions League next season, youngster Happy Mashiane has opened up about the red card he received in the CAF Champions League final against Al Ahly in 2021.

Mashiane received a red card at the brink of halftime when the two sides clashed at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium that saw Al Ahly going all the way to clinch the title in that season after a convincing 3-0 victory against Amakhosi.

Facing a rather dry spell in recent times, Chiefs' victory over the Egyptian giants would have been a big win for the side from Naturena along with their supporters however, playing with a man short against Pitso Mosimane’s menacing Al Ahly side, who were hungry for success, proved too much for Amakhosi.

Under the guidance of Stuart Baxter, Mashiane was the preferred candidate to hold it down on the left flank for Amakhosi but that proved to be a costly move from English man as Mashiane was completely overwhelmed by the Al Ahly's attack.

The 25 year old has since reflected on the incident and laments that he still gets flashbacks of that match and the red card incident.

"I was really hurt when I received the red card because obviously that changed the entire complexion of the game, so it was really painful what I went through.

"I still get flashbacks about it, but it is something I am dealing with everyday," Mashiane said.

Mashiane, whose name will always pop up whenever the Amakhosi faithful talk about the 2021 CAF final believes the more he talks about the incident, the quicker it will be for him to heal.

"I believe the more I get to open up about it then I will overcome the trauma and move on from it forever.

"I am also taking it one day at the time and based on my recent performances, you can tell that I am moving away from the incident,"
Mashiane added.

With Kaizer Chiefs still in the hunt for a top two finish that will automatically see them progress to the CAF Champions League next season, Mashiane will look to help his side get the necessary points in the DSTV Premiership to qualify for the Champions League.

Under Arthur Zwane this season, Mashiane hasn't really been featuring consistently in Chiefs' starting XI, making his most recent appearance in the 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants on Saturday.

Although that is the case, 'Vavo' as he is affectionately called by many, believes things are getting back to normality for him and he is working hard to feature consistently in the team again.

Amakhosi next face Royal AM in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday the 16th of April 2023 at the Chatsworth Stadium.

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