Retired footballer Willard Katsande has highlighted what he feels is Kaizer Chiefs’ biggest improvement ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
The Chiefs had a pre-season camp in the Netherlands where they played against SBV Vitesse, FC Utrecht, and NEC Nijmegen. They also played PEC Zwolle and FC Twente.
Unfortunately, their results were rather disappointing as they managed one win while losing four times. They scored three times and conceded nine goals.
The Glamour Boys will be tested once again on July 26th when they take on Ghana’s Asante Kotoko SC in the Toyota Cup. This one will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Although Amakhosi’s highly publicised European pre-season camp did not yield many wins, Katsande reckons it sharpened the team. Katsande is adamant that the Naturena-based side is poised for better strides in the upcoming season.
KATSANDE SAYS KAIZER CHIEFS’ BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT IS IN THEIR RECRUITMENT
In an interview with FARPost, the former Chiefs captain stated that the team has made a significant improvement in terms of recruitment compared to previous seasons.
Katsande said: “I feel and I know that this season is going to be a different season for them and they’re going to be more competitive. And they’re playing in Africa [CAF Confederation Cup]. It’s also good to get that experience, and yeah, but overall, the club has done well.
“The management has done well, and the coaches are also doing well in terms of recruitment. You could see now there’s a good balance from the guys coming from outside, and also looking into our DDC.
“And it’s going to be a good balance of players because you need that, you don’t need to have the same group in terms of transition.
“It’s going to be difficult, but now we have the younger ones, middle ones and the experienced. It’s a matter of finding the best combination. That’s why the team went to the Netherlands, to work on the tactics.”
The Glamour Boys have made serious reinforcements to the squad, and Katsande is buzzing about them. They have so far confirmed the signing of Ethan Chislett from Port Vale and Nkanyiso Shinga from FC Alverca.
Flavio Silva, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Siphesihle Ndlovu joined from Persebaya Surabaya, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United, respectively.
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