Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho is relishing the chance to stretch his legs when they take on Highlands Park in their opening Absa Premiership clash of the new season.

The towering defender struggled with injury last campaign which had him sidelined for the better part of the campaign before recovering towards the end of the 2018-19 season.

However, the Glamour Boys are now scheduled to face Highlands Park in their Absa Premiership opener at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Sunday.

‘I feel very good and strong – it’s all thanks to the training that helped with getting back to full fitness after the long injury I had last season. I am now fully fit and rearing to give it my best,’ Mathoho told his club’s official website.

‘The break at the end of the season and starting pre-season with the team helped me a great deal. I’m now ready for the season, starting with the game on Sunday.’

After recovering from his lengthy injury setback, Mathoho completed two friendly games in the last two weeks against Botswana’s Township Rollers and Orlando Pirates playing for 90 minutes in each game.

‘We have been working tirelessly and helping each other as players. We will ensure that we make the supporters happy by doing well early in the season. They have bought their tickets in numbers for Sunday, meaning that they are hungry for football, so we have to step up to the plate and repay their faith with good results,’ he added.

Tickets for their opening match of the season against hosts Highlands Park were quickly swooped up by supporters and are now sold out.

‘This is motivating because it is confirmation that the supporters still love the team and want to see us do well. They have spoken and now it’s our turn to repay their faith in us by starting well with getting all the three points in the bag,’ Mathoho promised.

However, Mathoho admits that it won’t be a walk in the park as the first opponents having bolstered their squad for the new season, while stating that they will afford them the necessary respect as hosts but at the same time give it they’re all on the pitch.

‘There is no easy game for us because all fifteen in the team want to beat Chiefs. We know what to expect on Sunday and the fighting spirit I saw in our team gives me hope that we are battle-ready. Amakhosi supporters can expect a thrilling game,’ he concluded.

Kaizer Chiefs against Highlands Park kicks off at 3pm.