25-07-2025
Chiefs looking at Toyota Cup to build team spirit
DURBAN-born Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele during training ahead of the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. | BackpagePix
Chiefs will continue to intensify their preparations for next season when they face Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida on Saturday (3pm).
The results didn't go their way as they lost four games and won one. But that didn't matter as coach Nasreddine Nabi was pleased with the lessons learned.
Chiefs recently returned from a two-week pre-season tour of the Netherlands where they tested themselves against Dutch outfits.
Kaizer Chiefs' midfielder Thabo Cele has lifted the lid on the team's camaraderie and their chances of change of fortunes ahead of the upcoming Premier Soccer League season.
Cele, who was speaking to Chiefs' media following a rousing welcome at King Shaka International Airport Thursday afternoon, explained what it meant to be back on home soil.
'It's a lot to dissect within a minute,' Cele said 'I'd say for me since I came back, it's been a blessed journey. We are looking forward for things to come as a team and as individuals.
'So, to be back at home, it's always a special feeling. The love I get here, I can't explain it. It's just something for the heart.
'It just drives you to go further, and do more - seek ways to do more. Coming from the Netherlands pre-season, there's togetherness and we want to fight.'
Chiefs' army has been boosted by the club following the arrival of six players during the ongoing winter transfer window.
These include Ethan Chislett, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Flavio Silva, and Nkanyiso Shinga.
Having only Chislett, Monyane, Silva and Shinga flown out with the team to the Netherlands, Cele has described what it felt like to link up with Ndlovu and Mako as well.
'It was important for the new guys to come in,' Cele said. 'We know that they are going to add value to our team, and we need them.
'I feel like they also understand the mission at hand. I feel there's positivity in the team, and it's not fake positivity. It's real!
'In the Netherlands, we played some difficult games and got tested. Through being tested is where you become a team, so in those tests we become together more.
'We talk among ourselves about the mission of this season, so we know. So like l said, it's about every 90 minutes and getting those three points.'
