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IOL News
30-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs must fine-tune season preparations after missing out on the MTN8
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi will hope to use the MTN8 break to build a cohesive, competitive squad before the league campaign kicks off. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs will once again have a 'grandstand view' this weekend when the Top 8 teams from the Betway Premiership compete in the MTN8. This is the second successive season Chiefs have missed out on the Wafa Wafa Cup after finishing ninth and tenth on the log in the last two campaigns. But rather than getting comfortable watching other teams start their season early, Amakhosi should use this period to fine-tune their preparations. Chiefs were praised for an improved showing at the Toyota Cup last weekend, despite losing on penalties to Asante Kotoko. However, they are still far from being a well-oiled machine. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Basic elements like on-field cohesion remain lacking — especially after the technical team opted to rotate the squad heavily during pre-season friendlies. Key players such as Siphesihle Ndlovu missed the tour of the Netherlands due to a late signing and visa issues. With the departure of figures like Yusuf Maart — who was not only the club captain but a vital part of the team's spine — new head coach Nasreddine Nabi must build a formidable core. A solid unit is made up of players who form the team's foundation, capable of weathering the challenges that arise during a long season. Arranging further friendly matches may be difficult, as most PSL teams are finalising their own preparations. As such, the technical team must be shrewd in planning the final phase of pre-season. In-house training matches seem the most likely option for coach Nabi to assess and solidify his starting line-up. But more will be needed. It will take more than closed-door sessions to reignite the hunger and spark needed for Chiefs to return to their former glory. Every player needs to be honest with themselves and determined to play a key role in restoring the club to the pinnacle of South African football. Congratulatulations to the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Pule Mmodi He walks away with R150 000.#PSLAwards25 #NedbankCup #Amakhosi4Life — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 29, 2025 Nkosingiphile Ngcobo received high praise from fans after his Toyota Cup display, following a tough period of poor form and injury. However, he cannot afford to become complacent. He must aim to improve with every training session before the season begins. Stepping out of the spotlight to work on weaknesses has often benefitted players and professionals across fields. Chiefs now have the ideal opportunity to do just that. The world-class facilities at Taung Village offer a quiet, focused environment in which to complete preparations before they face Stellenbosch on Saturday in their league opener. So, although Chiefs have no competitive matches lined up before kick-off, the MTN8 absence might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Yes, missing the competition could prove costly in terms of silverware — along with the R10 million prize money — but the tournament hasn't always lived up to its billing. Regarded as the season's curtain-raiser, the MTN8 is expected to set the tone. However, even recent winners like arch-rivals Orlando Pirates have failed to build on that momentum, finishing behind Mamelodi Sundowns in the league in the last three seasons. Pirates' runners-up finish might be commendable to some, but the ultimate achievement in domestic football remains topping the league standings. The Sea Robbers' form tends to falter in the latter stages of the campaign—possibly due to the early intensity of chasing the MTN8 title. Finding the balance between multiple competitions and consistent league form remains a challenge. Sundowns' dominance, winning the league in the past two seasons, is evidence of their superior management of that balance. Chiefs' recent league performances remain a concern—particularly when compared to their fiercest rivals. But instead of lamenting their MTN8 absence or enjoying the time off, Amakhosi must sharpen their focus and make these final days of pre-season count.
The South African
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Khune pleads with Kaizer Chiefs fans
Betway Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs faced Asante Kotoko in Durban after a two-week pre-season camp in the Netherlands. While Kaizer Chiefs lost 3-2 on penalties after the game ended goalless in 90 minutes, the primary focus was on team conditioning and tactical alignment. Meanwhile, Itumeleng Khune has reviewed new players such as Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, Nkanyiso Shinga and Thabiso Monyane. FIFA ask Kaizer Chiefs to pay R3 million? Kaizer Chiefs' new signings Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett and Nkanyisa Shinga. Image: kcofficial/X 'When you talk about Paseka Mako and when you talk about Thabiso Monyane, they are bringing that winning mentality from Orlando Pirates,' Khune said on SABC1 . Orlando Pirates star needs six more goals to make history 'And I was quite impressed with the like of Shinga, Chislett, and of course we need to give Silva a fair turn. 'We only just debate him in the first games that we've seen him play but he's definitely going to show us what he can bring to South African football,' Kaizer Chiefs' greatest ever goalkeeper concluded. 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.
The Citizen
28-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates poke fun at Chiefs over MTN8 failure
Pirates release a cartoon mocking Chiefs for not qualifying for the MTN8. Orlando Pirates have started the banter ahead of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season, releasing a video taking aim at Kaizer Chiefs for not qualifying for the MTN8. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Nabi remains positive despite Toyota Cup loss 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 We are now less than a week away from the start of the 2025/26 season. Let the games begin! ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 28, 2025 In the video, an Amakhosi player arrives at the airport brandishing a Nedbank Cup winners, and strides confidently past a queue of MTN8 qualifiers. However, he is stopped by a customs official, who points out that there is priority boarding for the sides playing in the MTN8. Chiefs' embarrassment Chiefs finished 9th in the Betway Premiership last season, meaning they failed to qualify for the MTN8 for the second season in a row. The PSL season will kick off this weekend with the MTN8 quarterfinals. Amakhosi did beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final to win their first trophy in a decade, and it remains to be seen if Kaizer Chiefs' own media team hits back in the coming days. A mixed pre-season Chiefs have had a mixed pre-season, and lost the Toyota Cup for the second season in a row on Saturday, going down 3-2 on penalties to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko. ALSO READ: Chiefs pay the penalty as Kotoko win Toyota Cup Pirates will play Polokwane City on Saturday at Orlando Stadium in their MTN8 quarterfinal.
TimesLIVE
28-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nabi sees positives despite Chiefs' fifth loss in six friendlies against Kotoko
Nasreddine Nabi's post-match press conference after Kaizer Chiefs lost yet another preseason game lasted a little over 15 minutes, but it was dominated by one question, which he sought to answer via a translator, then offered his broken English in an attempt at a clearer explanation. Chiefs' 2-3 penalty-shoot-out defeat against Ghana's Asante Kotoko in the annual Toyota Cup at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday was their fifth loss in six friendlies this preseason. To be fair to Nabi, it was largely an unmerited loss, with Amakhosi spurning a chance to win it with five minutes to go when Inácio Miguel sent his penalty wide and then Pule Mmodi's effort being saved when a conversion would have guaranteed victory in the shoot-out. But as his inquisitors reminded him in that presser, Saturday's result was yet another defeat, which doesn't seem to bode well for Chiefs' prospects when they kick off the new season next weekend.
The Citizen
27-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Nabi remains positive despite Toyota Cup loss
'We had opportunities to win the game during the 90 minutes, and during the penalties, but we missed them,' said the Chiefs head coach. Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi watched his side lose on penalties to Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup in Durban on Saturday. P{cture: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi remains positive Kaizer Chiefs are on the right path, despite defeat in the Toyota Cup to Asante Kotoko on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Chiefs miss chances Kotoko beat Chiefs 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game finished goalless, with Amakhosi guilty of wasting many opportunities to put the game to bed in 90 minutes. ALSO READ: Chiefs pay the penalty as Kotoko win Toyota Cup Their best chance came a few minutes before the end of the match, captain Inacio Miguel missing after Chiefs were awarded a controversial penalty. After a chaotic penalty shootout, it was the unfortunate Miguel whose penalty was saved by Kotoko 'keeper Mohamed Camara to seal victory for the visitors. 'I think it was a game that was very instructive,' Nabi told SABC Sport. 'We came up with a lot of answers in terms of what we have been doing (in pre-season) and what we need to do going forward. It was a positive performance overall. 'We had opportunities to win the game during the 90 minutes, and during the penalties, but we missed them. We wanted to offer our supporters victory and finish the day with joy. But penalties are unpredictable.' Chiefs certainly gave an improved display on Saturday compared to their 4-0 hammering in the Toyota Cup by Tanzanian side Young Africans last year. Following on from a pre-season in the Netherlands, they may well have been taken aback by a poor, bumpy surface in Durban, especially compared to the smooth pitches they played on in Europe. Even with this situation, Chiefs still put up a decent showing, especially in the second half, when they really should have seen off Kotoko with the opportunities they created. 'The right direction' 'I am very positive we are going in the right direction,' added Nabi, whose side will play their first Betway Premiership match of the new season against Stellenbosch on August 10. ALSO READ: Portsmouth snap up Bafana midfielder 'We have done the physical work. Now we are in the last two weeks of the pre-season. We know our negative points. It is very important for us to look where the problems are honestly, and at where the quality is. We can then push to improve the quality and correct the negative points.'
