CAF Champions League football comes at a very tricky time for Kaizer Chiefs and coach Steve Komphela.

In the Absa Premiership, Amakhosi are trying hard to keep up with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, and there's now the added pressure to do well in the Champions League, having come under criticism for seemingly not taking continental club competitions seriously.

They've made it clear that they want to make the country proud this year, so they've got their first opportunity to show it when they face Volcan de Moroni of the Comoros at Stade Said Mohammed Cheikh on Sunday (2pm SA time).

Komphela believes the competition will help build the mental strength of his players. "I think we should be [ready]," said Komphela this week.

"Preparations have been made and we are looking forward to these trips. They are going to be strenuous, but they bring a lot of mental strength. When we go into the Champions League, it will obviously mean a different focus.

"When we come back home it will be another ball game, so we just have to intensify the level of focus on every match."

Amakhosi, who will host the return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a fortnight, have never reached the group stages of the Champions League, but believe they've learnt valuable lessons from their last two appearances under Stuart Baxter.

Players such as Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Tsepo Masilela should come to the party and use the experience they gained with Bafana Bafana to help guide Chiefs to the latter stages of the competition.

It's going to be a busy two weeks for Amakhosi, who face SuperSport United and Polokwane City before the second leg clash against Volcan.