Kaizer Chiefs’ first pre-season opponent has been confirmed, with the team set to begin its preparations on Friday, 20 June at the Village in Naturena.
The Soweto giants experienced a 2024/24 season of highs and lows. While they secured their first trophy in a decade – winning the Nedbank Cup after beating Orlando Pirates in the final, they unfortunately missed out on a top-eight finish in the league.
This means they won’t participate in the MTN8, potentially sparing them some domestic fixtures. However, their qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup will see them embark on continental travels, adding a rigorous schedule to their upcoming season.
To prepare for these demands, the team has already announced their pre-season plans. Amakhosi will head to the Netherlands for their pre-season tour, scheduled from July 3 to 19.
KAIZER CHIEFS SET FOR EUROPEAN TEST AGAINST FC UTRECHT
Last pre-season, Chiefs were in Turkey, but head coach Nasreddine Nabi joined partway through. This year, Nabi will be with the squad from the very beginning, overseeing their preparations and early matches.
Dutch side FC Utrecht has confirmed they will face the Soweto giants on 11 July. Utrecht will also face off against Romania’s FSCB, home to former Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana.
FC Utrecht, a prominent Eredivisie club, will play Chiefs in a behind-closed-doors match. This fixture against Utrecht is currently the only confirmed pre-season opponent for Amakhosi.
Belgium’s Cercle Brugge and Charleroi will also play the Dutch outfit. They will complete their pre-season with a clash against RKC Waalwijk, a second-tier side in the Netherlands.
“The most popular club in South Africa will be the opponent: Kaizer Chiefs. This match will also be played behind closed doors,” reads the statement from FC Utrecht.
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