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The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs coach optimistic about new season after Netherlands camp
The weather was also amazing, which helped, Better than training in 40 degrees in Spain," said Nabi. Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi feels optimistic about the upcoming season following their preseason camp in the Netherlands. During their camp, Amakhosi played five pre-season training games, losing four of them and only registering one win. ALSO READ: Ouaddou hopes Spain victory will boost Pirates confidence They lost 2-1 against Vitesse, 4-0 against Utrecht and 1-0 against NEC Nijmegen. They then redeemed themselves with a 1-0 victory against PEC Zwolle before losing 2-1 against FC Twente in their final preseason friendly. 'We saw a lot of positives in our training matches against very strong Dutch opponents,' Nabi told Chiefs media. 'The players have started to understand the way I want them to play and they jell well as a strong unit.' 'Our camp took place in beautiful surroundings,' added Nabi. 'The fields on which we trained were in perfect condition and our opponents were really good. As a result of all this, the pre-season camp was beneficial to everyone. 'One of the conditions of having a good season is having a good pre-season – that's where the foundation is laid.' Why Chiefs played two friendlies in two days 'We didn't only want quality opponents,' Nabi explained, 'we also wanted quantity. Parallel with this, we did some tough physical work at training, even doing double-sessions on the day before a match. 'We did this to have the players play games feeling extremely fatigued. That was not only to prepare the team for the league season, but also for the CAF Confederation Cup games for which we will often have to travel for long hours. That's when players will have to perform while feeling very tired. 'We even had two sessions the day after one of the friendlies, with the objective of getting the players mentally ready. That's also why we organised back-to-back matches twice, playing a friendly two days in a row. It allowed us as well to give maximum opportunities to all the players to get minutes.' Nabi happy with new signings Nabi was also happy with how the new signings who joined the pre-season camp in the Netherlands, including Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett, Thabiso Monyane and Flavio Silva adapted to their new surrounding. 'They need to fully jell with the group. However, they are all adapting nicely, and they start to understand what I expect from them. Our objective was to sign new players that will bring us to a higher level compared to last season.' Chiefs youngsters impress Nabi was also impressed with the three youngsters coming from the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy, Thulani Mabaso, Kabelo Nkgwesa and Naledi Hlongwane. The trio were part of the preseason camp in the Netherlands, with Hlongwane netting the winner against PEC Zwolle. 'We don't want to rush them,' said Nabi, 'however, I am always willing to give maximum opportunities to young talents. If you are good enough, you are old enough to play. That's my philosophy.' Nabi also praised the club management for organising the Netherlands before taking a veiled dig at their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates, who held their camo in Spain. 'It was all extremely professional, from the hotel staff to the quality of the opponents. The weather was also amazing, which helped, Better than training in 40 degrees in Spain.' ALSO READ: Ex-Pirate describes Chiefs as 'a breath of fresh air' Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has released the provisional fixtures for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Chiefs are set to kick off the 2025/26 season against Stellenbosch FC away on 10 August. Chiefs' first five fixtures: 10 August: Stellenbosch FC (A) 13 August: Polokwane City (H) 19 August: Richards Bay (H) 27 August: Mamelodi Sundowns (A) 30 August: Golden Arrows (A)
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Kaizer Chiefs narrowly lose last game in Netherlands to FC Twente
Kaizer Chiefs narrowly lost their final friendly match of their preseason camp in the Netherlands 2-1 against FC Twente at Sportpark Voetbalvereniging Rood Zwart in Delden on Wednesday. This was a second competitive outing for Amakhosi against a Dutch top flight team in two days having beaten PEC Zwolle, who finished 10th in last season's Eredvisie, 1-0 on Tuesday.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'Emphatic' or just enough? Either way Kaizer Chiefs win in Europe could lead the way in SA
Naledi Hlongwane scored the winning goal in Kaizer Chiefs' 1-0 pre-season victory over PEC Zwolle — their first win in The Netherlands after three straight defeats. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Kaizer Chiefs media department may have gone a little overboard in their description of Amakhosi's 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle on Tuesday night. 'Emphatic win for Chiefs in Holland,' read the headline on the club's match report. Well, perhaps that's what happens when you snap a three-match losing streak — any win feels euphoric. But while the victory, courtesy of a second-half goal by substitute Naledi Hlongwane, was deserved, it was anything but emphatic. Yes, Chiefs showed marked improvement from their previous outings. They were confident in possession, moved the ball forward with purpose, and varied their attacking play — mixing long-range shots with attempts to penetrate through Zwolle's defence. Tuesday's result offered much-needed relief for a team struggling for form. Before that match, Amakhosi had lost all three of their earlier encounters on the Dutch pre-season tour — a 4-0 drubbing by FC Utrecht, a narrow 1-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen, and a 2-1 defeat to SBV Vitesse. Their final match of the five-game tour took place on Wednesday night against FC Twente. The win over Zwolle came like rain in the desert for a side in desperate need of momentum as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. Chiefs have made several new signings in a bid to arrest their decline after two consecutive seasons without a top-eight finish. The decisive goal came after Zwolle's goalkeeper failed to hold on to a shot from Mduduzi Shabalala. Hlongwane — who had come on for the injured Flavio Silva — was quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball and burying it. His celebration was one of pure joy, shared with team-mates. It was a goal straight out of the Kaizer Chiefs Academy — both Shabalala and Hlongwane having risen through the ranks together since under-15 level. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane said. 'I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot. As a striker, you might only get one chance during a match — and that's when you have to be ready. "So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping for a rebound. And that's exactly what happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' Head coach Nasreddine Nabi continued to rotate his squad throughout the match, finishing with Aiden McCarthy as the only player to have completed the full 90 minutes. The Tunisian tactician has used the tour to assess different players and build combinations as part of a longer-term process. That process is what Angolan defender and new captain Miguel Inacio believes will lay the foundation for a successful season — one that includes league play, domestic cups and participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. 'The victory was great. However, in pre-season, the process comes first — it's not so much about winning,' Inacio said. 'In that process, you build the Kaizer Chiefs idea. We've seen our performances improve with each match. "Right now, we're laying the foundation that's needed to do well when the season begins. Pre-season is about incorporating the coach's ideas, integrating new players, and establishing tactical understanding. "Last season, we didn't get that combination right, even though the process was sound. This time, all those elements came together, and that's what made for a great performance — and yes, even an emphatic win.'
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hlongwane hails ‘fantastic feeling' after scoring for Chiefs
'As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready,' said the Chiefs attacker. Naledi Hlongwane scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs against PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Chiefs' young striker Naledi Hlongwane was ecstatic after scoring the winner for Amakhosi in their 1-0 friendly win over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Chiefs' young talent The 19 year-old was given his first professional contract by Chiefs in April and is a part of Nasreddine Nabi's squad currently in camp in the Netherlands ahead of the 2025/26 season. ALSO READ: Why was Rayners snubbed for top PSL Awards Hlongwane got his opportunity on Tuesday following an injury to Chiefs' new Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva. And he made the most of it by netting in the 56th minute, slotting home after the Zwolle 'keeper had parried Mduduzi Shabalala's effort. It was Chiefs' first win of their training camp, after losing their previous three training matches. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane told the Chiefs official website on his relationship with Shabalala. 'So, I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot at goal. As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready. So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping that the ball would bounce back into the field from him. One more match in the Netherlands 'And that's how it happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' ALSO READ: Maart bids emotional farewell to Chiefs Chiefs will play their final training match in the Netherlands against FC Twente on Wednesday. Kick off is at 7pm.
The South African
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
New hero? Kaizer Chiefs fans pin hopes on young Hlongwane
Kaizer Chiefs seem to have found a new hero in Naledi Hlongwane after their impressive 1-0 victory over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle. Hlongwane scored the only goal of the match, securing Amakhosi's first win in pre-season on Tuesday evening. Chiefs started the game with Thabiso Monyane, Nkanyiso Shinga, and Flavio da Silva in the lineup; however, it was the Dutch side that enjoyed most of the possession during the early stages of the first half. Despite their early dominance, Kaizer Chiefs appeared more likely to score, particularly with their effective combination play. Nearly 10 minutes into the second half, Naledi Hlongwane, who replaced Da Silva, netted the opener after Mduduzi Shabalala's shot hit the upright. From that moment, Nasreddine Nabi's team looked in control, although they were unable to find a second goal. Hlongwane's performance drew praise from Kaizer Chiefs fans. His coach at development Vela Khumalo has urged the club's supporters not to expect too much too soon from the youngster. 'Hlongwane is a promising youngster, and I have heard reports that he is excelling with the first team over in the Netherlands,' he told . 'However, I'm not sure if this is the right time for him to join the first team. He might face pressure since the team is not performing well at the moment. 'It's a catch-22 situation – whether he will live up to expectations or whether he needs to be supported by older, more experienced players to excel. It's a tricky situation. But he is ready,' Khumalo said. Hlongwane is sure to be a starter in some of Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season matches. Amakhosi will conclude their tour to the Netherlands when they face FC Twente. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
