Kaizer chiefs
By Sello Masilo
Kaizer Chiefs suffered a third straight loss in pre-season after going down 1-0 to Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen on Saturday afternoon. This narrow defeat marked another tough outing for the Amakhosi during their pre-season tour in the Netherlands, where they are gearing up for the upcoming Premier Soccer League season and their return to continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Pre-Season Tour Context and Build-Up lol
Kaizer Chiefs are currently on a pre-season tour in the Netherlands, facing a series of friendly matches against local clubs to build fitness, test new tactics, and integrate recent signings under new coach Nasreddine Nabi. The tour kicked off with a loss to Vitesse, followed by a heavy 4-0 defeat to FC Utrecht just a day before the clash with NEC Nijmegen. These back-to-back games have tested the squad’s depth and resilience, with Nabi using the opportunities to experiment with different combinations of players.
The match against NEC Nijmegen took place at Sportpark De Passelegt in Overasselt, a venue belonging to Dutch amateur side Overasseltse Boys. Unlike the previous game against Utrecht, which was played behind closed doors, this friendly allowed fans to attend, adding a bit of atmosphere to the proceedings. NEC Nijmegen, who had recently thrashed SC NEC 27-0 in a training match, came into the game with confidence, having secured a 12-0 lead in the first half of that encounter. For Chiefs, the focus was on bouncing back from the Utrecht drubbing and showing signs of improvement in their defensive structure and attacking transitions.
Nabi made several changes to the line-up as expected after the quick turnaround from the Utrecht match, but notably, none of the new signings featured in the starting eleven. Instead, he opted for a blend of experienced players who had contributed to the team’s Nedbank Cup success last season, aiming to build continuity while assessing their fitness levels.
Starting Line-Ups and First Half Action
Kaizer Chiefs lined up with Brandon Petersen in goal, protected by a backline of Zitha Kwinika, Dillon Solomons, Inácio Miguel, and Reeve Frosler. In midfield, Samkelo Zwane and George Matlou provided the engine room, with Gaston Sirino pulling the strings creatively. Up front, Tashreeq Morris, Pule Mmodi, and Mfundo Vilakazi were tasked with leading the attack.
NEC Nijmegen started strongly, dominating possession from the kick-off and pinning Chiefs back in their own half. The Dutch side created several half-chances early on, forcing Chiefs to make a crucial goal-line clearance to keep the scores level. Around the half-hour mark, NEC’s Tjaronn Chery had a good opportunity after a knockdown in the box but dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Chiefs, on the other hand, had to rely on quick counter-attacks to pose any threat, with young talents Mfundo Vilakazi and Pule Mmodi leading the charge down the flanks. Despite their efforts, they struggled to create clear openings and failed to test the NEC goalkeeper in the early stages. Petersen was called into action multiple times, making key saves, including one in the 12th minute, and nearly being caught off his line nine minutes before the break.
The Amakhosi’s best chance of the first half came in the 37th minute when Gaston Sirino weaved his way into the box and unleashed a strike from a tight angle, only to see it saved by the NEC goalkeeper at the near post. The teams went into halftime level at 0-0, with Chiefs showing solid defensive courage but lacking options in the final third.
Second Half: Substitutions, the Decisive Goal, and Late Chances
The second half started on a more positive note for Chiefs, who enjoyed better possession and more touches on the ball. However, their forward play remained limited, often resulting in back-passes as they struggled to find penetrating options.
Nabi responded by making wholesale changes just before the hour mark to inject fresh energy. Substitutes included Glody Lilepo, Thabo Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Naledi Hlongwane, new signing Nkanyiso Shinga, Bruce Bvuma, Aiden McCarthy, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa. These changes aimed to bolster the midfield and attack, with Shinga’s introduction marking his debut appearance in the tour.
Despite the flurry of substitutions, Chiefs conceded the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute. A neat passing move from NEC ended with substitute Koki Ogawa being slipped through on goal. The Japanese forward calmly slotted the ball past Bvuma with a composed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Chiefs pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages. Ten minutes from time, Thabo Cele unleashed a fierce shot from distance, but it was comfortably saved by the NEC goalkeeper. In the final five minutes, another young Chiefs player, Thulani Mabaso, was slipped through on goal in a one-on-one situation but was denied by the shot-stopper, fluffing his lines under pressure. Despite these late opportunities, Chiefs could not find the net, ending the game on a 1-0 loss.
Player Performances and Key Takeaways
Inácio Miguel stood out in defence with his leadership and solid partnerships, particularly with Aiden McCarthy after the substitutions. Gaston Sirino was a creative spark, nearly scoring and showing good movement, while young stars like Vilakazi and Mmodi provided energy on the wings but lacked the final product. Goalkeepers Petersen and Bvuma made crucial interventions, highlighting the team’s improved defensive resilience compared to the Utrecht game.
Overall, Chiefs showed signs of progress in their passing lanes, ball movement, and rest defence, despite the defeat. The performance was more competitive than previous losses, with better structure in spells, but the lack of clinical finishing and forward options remains a concern as they prepare for the demands of the PSL and CAF competitions.
Fan Reactions and Public Sentiment
Fans had mixed feelings about the result, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts. Some criticised the team for lacking a clear identity or style of play, with one supporter saying it felt like they were “just playing for vibes.” Others pointed out the need for a proper defensive midfielder and urged Nabi to settle on a trusted starting line-up, suggesting combinations like Miguel and Dortley in defence, or Cele, Ngcobo, and Chislett in midfield.
On a positive note, several fans noted improvements, with comments like “I saw an improved KC. The passing lanes, the ball movement, rest defence…we really played well today, despite the defeat.” There was optimism about the young players from the development squad and belief that the team could compete strongly this season. However, frustration lingered over the winless run, with calls for more hunger and fight even in pre-season games.
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