Kaizer Chiefs face challenging start to the season with tough fixture list as trip to Mamelodi Sundowns looms large
Though Kaizer Chiefs will not be involved in the opening weekend of local football action in the MTN8, they will still have their work cut out from the outset in their new Betway Premiership campaign.
With Chiefs having finished outside the top eight in the league the last two seasons, there are increased expectations that the Soweto Giants will produce a much better showing.
Even though Chiefs won their first piece of silverware with the Nedbank Cup title last season, it did not hide their underperformance in the league.
Now, Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will have to ensure his troops hit the ground running from their first clash.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs transfer news: Ighodaro, Baartman, Velebayi, Siwahla
Kaizer Chiefs are gearing up for the new season, having already signed six new players. The team spent three weeks in the Netherlands for their pre-season, where the new signings got a run. In the five matches played, Amakhosi won just one however, Nasreddine Nabi feels his side gained a lot from those pre-season friendlies. In recent weeks, Chiefs have been linked to Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro. 'At the moment Kaizer Chiefs are waiting on Sundowns,' an insider told Soccer Laduma . 'Ighodaro has one year remaining on his contract with Sundowns and only if they can release him first as a free agent or if they can buy him from the remaining months on his contract. But Chiefs are interested in him and depending on what Sundowns' decision is, then Chiefs would still sign him before the start of the season.' Kaizer Chiefs reportedly signed Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi from Cape Town Spurs, but the Urban Warriors have taken the club to court. With Spurs' relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the amateur level, there's an argument made that the players have become free agents since they no longer play in the professional leagues. Former Ajax Cape Town attacker Mkhanyiseli Siwahla warned the duo of taking wrong advice. 'I understand that these boys are excited about big teams wanting them, but it's a mistake I also made,' he told KickOff . 'First of all, they must be careful of agents, as they only care about you when you are a star. Baartman and Velebayi were very young when they came at Ikamva; they were just 11 years old. Spurs groomed them, so they need to show respect and follow the proper procedures. 'Agents must start respecting teams that develop these players. If you are a true agent, you will acknowledge that. 'Agents should involve team owners in every decision they make about players because it is the team owners who have helped groom these athletes. 'The misunderstanding here has been caused by agents. It's all about communication. Kaizer Chiefs will never contact you directly to express interest; it's always the agents who act as intermediaries. 'When this happens, the team may perceive it as disrespect from the players, and they will be hesitant to support the players' moves. 'Understandably, teams feel this way because you cannot disrespect those who helped you become the star you are today. 'The only thing that needs to improve is communication between the agent and the selling team.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
I just want to see myself on the field of play again - Injury-free Lepasa says after leaving Orlando Pirates
Zakhele Lepasa of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership match against TS Galaxy at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto BAFANA Bafana striker Zakhele Lepasa has left Orlando Pirates after not playing for the whole of last season. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Zakhele Lepasa's nine-and-a-half year chapter with Orlando Pirates was closed on Friday following the striker's season-long spell on the sidelines. Lepasa was nurtured in the club's development a few years ago. As such, the club banked on him to be a capital investment someday. And so as to protect him, instead of throwing him in the deep end, they loaned him out, notably to TS Galaxy during the 2018/2019 season, to get some game-time. Lepasa shone at Galaxy, then competing in the national first division at the time, helping the team win the Nedbank Cup. That triumph in the final was sweeter for Lepasa as he scored the winning solo goal against the arch-rivals of his parent club, Kaizer Chiefs. Lepasa returned to Pirates after that season, but he failed to live up to expectations at the club, due to form and injuries. 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 @Lepasazakhele for your commitment and contribution to @OrlandoPirates Wishing you the very best in your next chapter 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞.𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 25, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The 28-year-old, who also spent six months at SuperSport United at some point, failed to make a single appearance for Pirates last season due to an injury. Consequently, the club decided to release him on Friday, ending a relationship that has spanned for close to a decade. Speaking at the premiere of Pirates' new documentary series, Giants, which Lepasa prominently features in, before he was officially released, he opened up on prospects. 'One thing that would mean a lot to me is seeing myself on the field of play, wearing a football jersey and getting the first minutes of the season,' Lepasa explained. 'I obviously didn't play for the whole of last season. Previously, I've had an injury like that (like the one that kept out last season), but that one had occurred in December, and I came back the following December. 'So, I then missed the last part and first part of the season. I never felt like I was out for the whole season. 'So, this is the first part that this has happened and it obviously brings a lot of doubt in my life and career - whether I can still try and be back and achieve what I set for myself.' Lepasa added that only playing will assert whether he still has what it takes to get back to his best and even fight for a spot in the national team. 'It (the injury) has done nothing but flawed my hunger because of the pain that I had to go through and sacrifices that I had to go through in one year,' Lepasa said. 'So to find myself (not) playing football was not easy. It was close to impossible (to endure) at some point. 'So, I won't say that I have overcome it, so having to play and be more regular is actually going to stamp that (whether I am fully back).' The South African Football Association has announced the squad that will represent the country at the CAF African Nations Championship next month. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Friday, 25 July 2025. @SABC_Sport — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 24, 2025 Lepasa is still highly rated in football circles as Bafana Bafana A side coach Molefi Ntseki has called him up for the Chan tournament which will be hosted in Kenya and Tanzania next month. 'I am yet to think about it,' Lepasa said of his call-up. 'What's crazy about Chan is that when a lot of us are regulars in our team, we tend to take Chan for granted. 'So when an opportunity like this arises, and you haven't played for a while, then that's only when you understand how important it is. 'Now it is as important as playing for Bafana and playing in the qualifiers, or Afcon. I am yet to think about it. But I am definitely happy about it. 'It's not just about being happy, but if I can see myself playing and training well, feeling like myself again, I think that's one thing I am looking forward to.'
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Ouaddou wants more exits
Orlando Pirates are not done trimming their squad ahead of the new season. According to the latest transfer update, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou wants to work with a smaller squad for the upcoming season. In light of their new coach's decision, five more players have been linked with the exit door at the club! READ MORE • Mamelodi Sundowns star set for European switch! READ MORE • R20 million Mamelodi Sundowns star wanted by Siwelele FC! The Buccaneers have already said their goodbyes to a host of first team players. And new reports suggest it doesn't end there! 'new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is believed to be finalising his squad for the first half of the new to Siya sources,' a Soccer Laduma report read. 'Ouaddou is not expected to work with more than 35 players in his squad as he looks to implement a more focused and competitive environment at the club.' The publication further claims that Orlando Pirates could either release or loan the following players out. Ayanda Zulu Gilberto Siphelo Baloni Selaelo Rasebotja Katlego Otladisa READ MORE • How much Pirates paid for Oswin Appollis! Considering all of the changes at Orlando Pirates, where do you think they'll finish on the Betway Premiership log standings? Can they lift the title? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
