Kaizer Chiefs are without their captain, Yusuf Maart, for their pre-season tour in the Netherlands, with an overseas move imminent.
Maart, who recently extended his contract with Amakhosi, did not travel with the team that departed on Thursday night for Amsterdam.
The Soweto giants gear up for the new season in Apeldoorn, located roughly 80 kilometres from the capital, Amsterdam. They arrived on Friday morning and will stay in the northwestern European country until July 19.
The two-week-long camp provides Chiefs’ technical team with the chance to gauge the team against strong European opponents. The Glamour Boys have scheduled five friendly matches against prominent Dutch teams from both the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie leagues.
Despite recently signing a new contract, an Austrian club is close to securing the signature of the former Sekhukhune United captain, who is currently in South Africa awaiting his work visa. It appears that the two clubs have reached an agreement, but the 29-year-old player is still awaiting the issuance of his visa.
Maart, a former Orlando Pirates youth player, joined Chiefs on a three-year deal in July 2022. His initial contract expired at the end of June, but he recently signed a new contract.
YUSUF MAART INSTRUMENTAL AS CHIEFS ENDED 10-YEAR TROPHY DROUGHT
The Atlantis-born midfielder played a key role in the Amakhosi’s strong finish to the 2024/25 season.
He netted the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Buccaneers in the Nedbank Cup final in Durban, ending a decade-long trophy drought for the club and earning a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Maart’s departure coincides with the club’s release of Venezuelan midfielder Edson Castillo. Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will now turn his attention to the newly signed midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu, who joined the team from SuperSport United.
The Betway Premiership giants have already announced the arrival of Ethan Chislett, striker Flavio Silva and three fullbacks—Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Nkanyiso Shinga.
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