Kaizer Chiefs
By Sello Masilo
In a surprising turn of events, Kaizer Chiefs lost their first pre-season friendly against Eerste Divisie side SBV Vitesse 2-1, with the Dutch side coming from behind to beat Amakhosi. Nasreddine Nabi surprised many with his first starting XI for the 2025/26 season, with no out-and-out left-back selected and Reeve Frosler instead starting on the left. The match, held at Sportpark Driel in the Netherlands on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, kicked off Chiefs’ pre-season tour aimed at preparing the team for the upcoming Betway Premiership season and their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Match Overview: A Tale of Two Halves
Kaizer Chiefs’ clash with SBV Vitesse was more than just a friendly—it was the first glimpse of what’s to come under new head coach Nasreddine Nabi. The game, streamed live on the Kaizer Chiefs YouTube Channel at 19:00 SAST, drew thousands of fans eager to see how Amakhosi would fare against European opposition. While Chiefs took the lead in the first half, defensive errors in the second allowed Vitesse to steal the victory, leaving supporters with mixed feelings about the team’s performance.
First Half: Frosler’s Stunner Gives Chiefs the Edge
Nabi’s starting XI raised eyebrows from the outset. With no natural left-back in sight, Reeve Frosler—a player more familiar on the right—lined up on the left side of defence. The lineup featured Brandon Petersen in goal, Thabiso Monyane and Frosler as full-backs, and a central defensive pairing of captain Miguel and Aden McCarthy. In midfield, Cele, Mthethwa, Mduduzi Shabalala, Ngcobo, and Vilakazi pulled the strings, while Da Silva spearheaded the attack.
Chiefs controlled the game early on, pressing high and creating chances. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Frosler unleashed a spectacular long-range strike that rocketed past the Vitesse goalkeeper. His goal not only silenced doubters about his positional switch but also showcased his ability to adapt. The half ended with Chiefs leading 1-0, their defence standing tall against Vitesse’s attempts to level the score.
Second Half: Vitesse Fight Back
The second half saw Nabi ring the changes, fielding an entirely new XI to test the squad’s depth. However, this reshuffle exposed cracks in Chiefs’ backline. Just two minutes after the restart, a dangerous move down Vitesse’s right flank ended with Solomons inadvertently turning the ball into his own net, making it 1-1. The own goal shifted momentum, and Vitesse began to dominate.
The Dutch side sealed the win in the 74th minute. A long throw-in caused chaos in Chiefs’ penalty area, and Andy Visser pounced, slotting the ball home from close range. Despite a late push from Amakhosi, they couldn’t find a way back, and the match ended 2-1. The second-half collapse highlighted defensive frailties that Nabi will need to address before the season begins.
Tactical Takeaways: Nabi’s Experiment in Focus
Nabi’s decision to deploy Frosler at left-back and switch lineups at halftime offered a glimpse into his coaching philosophy. The first half showed promise, with Shabalala and Vilakazi linking up well to create chances, and Frosler proving his worth with a goal. However, the second half exposed weaknesses, particularly in defending set-pieces and crosses—areas where Chiefs struggled last season too.
Brandon Petersen was a standout in goal, pulling off key saves despite conceding twice. The Miguel-McCarthy partnership in defence showed potential but lacked cohesion at times, as seen with the own goal. For Nabi, this match was less about the result and more about gathering insights into his squad’s strengths and weaknesses.
Pre-Season Tour: Building for the Future
This friendly was the opening fixture of Chiefs’ five-match pre-season tour in the Netherlands. The tour, running until 19 July 2025, pits Amakhosi against strong sides like FC Utrecht, NEC Nijmegen, PEC Zwolle, and FC Twente. It’s a deliberate move to challenge the players and prepare them for a big season ahead, including their return to continental football via the CAF Confederation Cup after winning the 2025 Nedbank Cup.
Kaizer Motaung Jr., the club’s sporting director, underlined the tour’s purpose: “We want the players to test themselves against these really strong sides. They will learn from it and will not only become better as individual players but, maybe even more important, improve as a team.” With new signings and young talent from the DStv Diski Challenge in the mix, the tour is a chance to build a squad ready to compete on all fronts.
Fan Reactions: Hope Amid Disappointment
Social media lit up during and after the match. Fans praised Frosler’s “sensational strike,” with one supporter posting, “Reeve Frosler with a stunner! That’s why we love Amakhosi!” Others noted the halftime lead, saying, “Frosler’s goal the difference so far—looking sharp!” But the mood shifted after Vitesse’s comeback, with some fans voicing concerns about the defence: “Two goals from sloppy mistakes. We’ve got work to do.”
Despite the loss, optimism remains. Many see the pre-season as a time for growth, not panic, with one fan writing, “It’s early days. Nabi’s just getting started—better now than in the league!”
Additional Insights: What Else We Learned
Beyond the scoreline, the match offered fresh details about Chiefs’ plans. Nabi’s use of two full XIs suggests he’s still weighing his options for a starting lineup. Youngsters like Mduduzi Shabalala and Vilakazi impressed, hinting at a blend of youth and experience in the season ahead. Meanwhile, the absence of a natural left-back has sparked debate—could this be a tactical tweak, or is Chiefs still hunting for a signing in that position?
The venue, Sportpark Driel, provided a picturesque backdrop, but the focus was firmly on the pitch. Vitesse, a club with a proud history despite their current second-tier status, proved a tough test with their physicality and quick transitions. For Chiefs, this was a wake-up call about the intensity they’ll face in both domestic and CAF competitions.
Upcoming Fixtures: What’s Next for Chiefs
Chiefs’ Netherlands tour rolls on with these key dates:
- 11 July: FC Utrecht
- 12 July: NEC Nijmegen
- 15 July: PEC Zwolle
- 16 July: FC Twente
Each game offers Nabi a chance to refine his approach and build momentum. The team returns to South Africa on 19 July, where pre-season training will ramp up ahead of the Betway Premiership kickoff. Fans will be watching closely to see how Chiefs bounce back from this defeat.
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