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IOL News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Plotting redemption: What is required from Kaizer Chiefs' Nabi and Co in second season
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi should be hard at work plotting how they will fight for top honours in his season season at the club. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Pride and reputation will be at stake when Kaizer Chiefs step onto the pitch to begin their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign in the coming months, following two disappointing seasons that saw them finish outside the Top 8 — ultimately costing them a place in the MTN8 competition. The Glamour Boys have been among the more proactive clubs in the early stages of the transfer window, making bold moves to reshape their squad. Several players were expected to play a significant role during the previous campaign — including striker Ranga Chivaviro and defender Edmilson Dove — but they came up short and have been shown the door. In a statement of intent, the Naturena-based side have welcomed former Orlando Pirates defenders Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane, reinforcing a squad that will be under heavy scrutiny this season as Tunisian head coach Nasreddine Nabi begins his second season in charge. Last season, Chiefs struggled to establish momentum and lacked the consistency required to string together results. Looking ahead to the new season, there are three major areas they must address if they are to reverse their fortunes. 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 ✕ Secure the backline Much of Amakhosi's downfall last season stemmed from defensive instability. The side consistently conceded goals at crucial moments, often undoing any attacking progress they had made. Each time they moved forward, their vulnerable backline would cost them ground — derailing their rhythm and results. Nabi will be counting on the experience and mentality of the incoming Pirates duo to bring stability and composure to the defence. Chiefs were among the worst-performing sides in terms of goals conceded last season, and that must change if they are to harbour any realistic ambitions of challenging the top sides. With injuries and inconsistent performances forcing constant reshuffles at the back, the need for a reliable and settled defensive partnership is paramount. Find a reliable goalkeeper It is often said that a top-quality goalkeeper can transform a side's season — and in Chiefs' case, this could not be more true. Among the options currently available to the Nedbank Cup winners, none have truly cemented themselves as top-tier calibre keepers capable of consistently matching the standards set by the league's top three sides. Those top teams — Sundowns, Pirates and Stellenbosch — all boast shot-stoppers who are not only excellent at making saves, but are also outstanding organisers of their defences. Chiefs have lacked that level of leadership and reliability in goal. If they are to plug one of the biggest gaps in their structure, upgrading this position must be a matter of urgency.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs may yet reap more rewards from Thabo Cele signing
Kaizer Chiefs star midfielder Thabo Cele is using his popularity gained with joining the Soweto giants to uplift his community. | BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix OUT of all the Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2024/2025 mid-season signings, Kaizer Chiefs arguably caught the biggest fish with the arrivals of Durban-born midfielder Thabo Cele and Congolese forward Makabi Lilepo. Both players were announced by the Naturena-based club at the end of January, along with Tashreeq Morris. Cele went on to play 11 league matches and Lilepo 14, but their biggest achievement of the season was helping their side win the Nedbank Cup – ending the 10-year trophy drought for the Soweto giants. 'My coming to Kaizer Chiefs was under one mission; that is to win trophies. We know that Kaizer Chiefs is the biggest club in the country. Even though we haven't been winning trophies, everyone knows that Chiefs is a team of trophies,' Cele remarked to the Durban media that attended the launch of his off-season youth games in his township of KwaMashu on Thursday. KWAMASHU'S FINEST: Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele and Thalente Mbatha in action in the Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium. Image: Archived 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 Thabo Thalente Games, which the Chiefs midfielder started with his Orlando Pirates counterpart and neighbour (they both come from G-Section in KwaMashu) Thalente Mbatha, consist of four sporting codes; football as the flagship, followed by netball, chess and umlabalaba (Zulu board game). 'This programme is more about trying to assist in finding solutions for our society against the ills. As we start, not everything is clear, and we were not even sure of the right time, but as you can see, people are appreciating the initiative. The vision is to help the community, and especially the young ones, and goes beyond many generations,' said Cele. Explaining the reason to go beyond football with their initiative, he added: 'In KwaMashu, football is the number-one sport. 'As a matter of fact, football is number one in the whole world. So, we thought it would be beautiful to open it wider and accommodate other sporting codes. 'I find myself growing interested in more sporting codes; I find myself watching tennis and your Tour de France and so on. 'The aim is to bring people together, so we tried to include everyone. 'We want people to take the initiative and embrace this project as theirs. It belongs to them and their community. The growth of it is upon them.' Indeed, there may have been no better time for Cele and Mbatha to start something of this nature since the 2024/2025 season saw them grow their popularity and meet up in three Soweto derbies. Cele in particular has in the past four months of his life at Chiefs become probably the most popular figure in the dressing room with his coaches and teammates and fans alike. 'It's been a blessing (his Chiefs' life). I am someone who is spiritual, so I do understand that what has happened (for me) in the past six months is not only up to my strengths. It's been a blessing, and I'm grateful also for the people I work with,' said the midfielder. 'At Kaizer Chiefs, everyone (who works there) is involved: from the workers who cut the grass for us, the ladies who cook for us, all the way to office administrators. 'All of us contribute to the progress of the team. So yes, the past five to six months have been a blessing.' With Chiefs, though, there's an elephant in the room: the future of Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi. Immediately after winning the Nedbank Cup, there were reports that Nabi was going to be let go, and undertake the last season in his two-year contract. 'Things that are spoken outside are simply that, external matters. We focus on what we have to deal with, which is taking the club forward,' Cele responded when probed about the matter.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs may yet reap more rewards of Thabo Cele signing
'My coming to Kaizer Chiefs was under one mission; that is to win trophies. We know that Kaizer Chiefs is the biggest club in the country. Even though we haven't been winning trophies, everyone knows that Chiefs is a team of trophies,' Cele remarked to the Durban media that attended the launch of his off-season youth games in his township of KwaMashu on Thursday. Cele went on to play 11 league matches and Lilepo 14 but their biggest achievement of the season was helping their side win the Nedbank Cup - ending the 10-year trophy silverware drought for the Soweto giants. Both players were announced by the Naturena-based club at the end of January along with Tashreeq Morris. OUT of all the Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2024/2025 midseason signings, Kaizer Chiefs arguably caught the biggest fishes with the arrivals of Durban-born midfielder Thabo Cele and the Congolese forward Makabi Lilepo. The Thabo Thalente Games, which the Chiefs midfielder started with his Orlando Pirates counterpart and neighbour (they both come from G-Section in KwaMashu) Thelente Mbatha, consist of four sporting codes; football as the flagship, followed by netball, chess and umlabalaba. 'This program is more about trying to assist in finding solutions for our society against the ills. As we start, not everything is clear and we were not even sure of the right time but as you can see, people are appreciating the initiative. The vision is to help the community and especially the young ones and go beyond many generations,' said Cele. Explaining the reason to go beyond football with their initiative: 'In KwaMashu, football is the number one sport. As a matter of fact, football is number one in the whole world. So we thought it would be beautiful to open it wider and accommodate other sporting codes. I find myself growing interested in more sporting codes; I find myself watching tennis and your Tour de France and so on. The aim is to bring people together, so we tried to include everyone. 'We want people to take initiative and embrace this project as theirs, it belongs to them and their community. The growth of it is upon them.' Indeed there may have been no better time for Cele and Mbatha to start something of this nature since the 2024/2025 season saw them grow their popularity and meet up in three Soweto derbies. Cele in particular, has in the past four months of his life at Chiefs, become probably the most popular figure in the dressing room with his coaches and teammates, and fans alike. 'It's been a blessing (his Chiefs' life). I am someone who is spiritual, so I do understand that what has happened (for me) in the past six months is not only up to my strengths. It's been a blessing and I'm grateful also for the people I work with,' said the midfielder. 'At Kaizer Chiefs everyone (who works there) is involved. From the workers who cut the grass for us, the ladies who cook for us all the way to office administrators. All of us contribute to the progress of the team. So yes, the past five to six months have been a blessing.' With Chiefs though, there's an elephant in the room - the future of Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi. Immediately after winning the Nedbank Cup, there were reports that Nabi was going to be let go and undertake the last season in his two-year contract. 'Things that are spoken outside are simply that, external matters. We focus on what we have to deal with, which is taking the club forward,' Cele responded when probed about the matter. "Even with what we have achieved, we understand that there is still a lot of work to be done. 'I am very happy for the one cup that we managed to win this season to put an end to that 10-year period without trophies. This will encourage us to challenge for more things (silverware) next season.'
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs' time to deliver' as Orlando Pirates seek Nedbank Cup record
Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze alongside Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi at the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final Press Conference in Umhlanga. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says it's time for Amakhosi to deliver, as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 pm. The final marks Chiefs' first domestic cup final appearance in six years. Pirates, on the other hand, are chasing a historic third consecutive Nedbank Cup title under head coach José Riveiro. With silverware on the line, pressure is mounting on both benches — but particularly on Chiefs', who are desperate to end their long-standing trophy drought. Kaze, speaking ahead of the clash, used a vivid analogy to describe the team's long and difficult campaign. 'We understand very well the frustrations of the fans and we share those frustrations as well,' he said. 'But coming into this game… I'm pretty sure, ladies will agree with me, you have been struggling nine months of pregnancy, now it's time to deliver.' 'Everyone… the whole family needs to show up on the day; everyone who loves the family needs to show up, that's the only advice I will give to them.' Chiefs have once again battled inconsistency this season, echoing last year's pattern of late-season collapse and underachievement. The Naturena-based outfit currently occupy ninth on the Betway Premiership standings and are at a great possibility of missing out on the top eight for the second time in a row. Despite Nasreddine Nabi's arrival bringing renewed optimism, the team's performances have not consistently met expectations. A win on Saturday could define not only the season but the future direction of the club under Nabi. Kaze, who has worked alongside the Tunisian coach for nearly three years, says his experience from other African leagues has prepared him for this moment. 'It's true that it's a difficult season we've faced because of the expectations that are not met yet,' Kaze said. 'But he has a lot of experience from a lot of countries and teams. He understands the expectations, the struggles we are going through, which gives him the tools to prepare for the future.'
The South African
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs rocked by major blow as top goal scorer is missing
Kaizer Chiefs rocked by major blow as top goal scorer is missing. Amakhosi face a massive setback ahead of the highly-anticipated Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates. As the two giants prepare to collide at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 3 May in the Betway Premiership, the Glamour Boys will be without their in-form striker, Wandile Duba. Amakhosi head into the derby under pressure after a string of disappointing results. They failed to win any of their last six league matches, managing just three draws against Cape Town City FC, TS Galaxy, and Chippa United. Meanwhile, they suffered losses to Richards Bay FC, Golden Arrows, and most recently, Marumo Gallants. That defeat to Gallants, saw Chiefs slide to ninth on the league table, collecting only 30 points from 25 matches. Chiefs will now have to face Pirates without their top scorer. Wandile Duba picked up his fourth yellow card of the season during the clash against Marumo Gallants and will serve a one-match suspension. The 20-year-old has been a standout performer this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 23 appearances across all competitions. His absence leaves a significant void in the attack. Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has placed immense trust in Duba in recent weeks, especially with Ranga Chivaviro struggling to find consistent form. 'Duba has earned his place by performing when it matters,' said a source close to the club. Duba also played a crucial role in Chiefs' journey to the Nedbank Cup final. His performances helped push the Naturena-based side to the showdown scheduled for Saturday, 10 May, where they will once again face the Buccaneers—this time at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. With Duba sidelined, the striking responsibilities now fall to Ranga Chivaviro and Tashreeq Morris. Chivaviro, who previously played for Marumo Gallants, has scored five goals in 22 appearances this season. Morris, however, is yet to find the net since joining from SuperSport United in January 2025. Nabi remains hopeful that one of them will rise to the occasion. 'Every player must be ready to deliver when called upon.' Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs rocked by major blow as top goal scorer is missing. Can Chiefs beat Pirates without Duba? 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.
