Kaizer Chiefs are set to conclude their pre-season tour of the Netherlands with a clash against FC Twente. The match is scheduled for Wednesday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, kicking off at 6:55pm CAT.
Amakhosi secured their first victory of the tour on Tuesday, with a narrow 1-0 win over PEC Zwolle. Naledi Hlongwane, a promising 19-year-old from the DStv Diski Challenge squad, scored the decisive goal after following up on a rebound from Mduduzi Shabalala's shot.
Prior to the win against Zwolle, Chiefs had suffered defeats against Vitesse Arnhem, Utrecht, and NEC Nijmegen. Coach Nasreddine Nabi has been utilising the tour to assess his squad and experiment with different combinations as he prepares for the upcoming season.
The match against Twente, who finished sixth in the Dutch league last season, represents Chiefs' final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations before returning to South Africa. Upon their return, they are scheduled to face Ghana’s Asante Kotoko in Bloemfontein on 26 July.
In other news, midfielder Yusuf Maart has departed Kaizer Chiefs to join newly-promoted Austrian Bundesliga side SV Ried. The club has expressed its gratitude for Maart's contributions and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Nabi has been rotating his squad throughout the tour, providing opportunities for various players to impress. Brandon Petersen has started all four matches in goal, while Inacio Miguel has been a constant presence in defence. The coach is still experimenting with different defensive pairings and midfield combinations to find the optimal balance.
New signing Siphesihle Ndlovu will be hoping to make an impact, while Thulani Mabaso is also vying for a place in the starting lineup. Upfront, Flavio Silva has had limited opportunities to showcase his talent, while Tashreeq Morris has also featured.
Key Players to Watch
- Naledi Hlongwane: The young striker will be looking to build on his goal against PEC Zwolle.
- Mduduzi Shabalala: A creative midfielder who can unlock defences.
- Inacio Miguel: A solid and experienced defender.
What to Expect
Expect a competitive match as Chiefs look to end their Dutch tour on a high note. Twente will provide a stern test, and Nabi will be hoping to see further improvements from his team.