Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu has explained how the Toyota Cup clash with Zimbabwean moneybags Scottland FC on Sunday will help gauge their grasp of coach Fernando Da Cruz’s methods.
The Soweto giants host Scottland at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in the third edition of the Totoya Cup. The fixture will act as a curtain-raiser to the 2026/27 season, in which Chiefs have the Betway Premiership, CAF Confederation Cup, MTN8, Carling Knockout, and the Nedbank Cup to compete for.
Scotland are expected to offer a stern challenge to Amakhosi as they are enjoying a rich vein of form as log leaders in the Zimbabwe PSL, which is currently in full swing. Coached by former Chippa United tactician Norman Mapeza, the Harare outfit also has the ex-Amakhosi duo of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat in their ranks.
Striker Terrence Dzvukamanja, formerly with Orlando Pirates, is also a Scottland player, and Mapeza’s side is preparing for their maiden participation in next season’s CAF Champions League.
Chiefs host their opponents, who are known as Mabviravira, fresh from the pre-season tour of Spain, where they played three friendly matches. They drew 1-1 with Scottish giants Rangers FC before posting a similar result against Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood Club and then lost 2-1 to La Liga outfit Elche CF.
NDLOVU ON HOW THE TOYOTA CUP WILL OFFER FIRST GLIMPSE OF FERNANDO DA CRUZ BLUEPRINT AT CHIEFS
After failing to win a single match in Spain, Chiefs might dismiss their outings as not result-oriented. But they would want to start cultivating a winning mentality ahead of the new season by beating Scottland on Sunday.
Ndlovu sees the match in Rustenburg as an opportunity to test what their French coach has been drilling into them, as they seek to outdo traditional rivals Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in the upcoming season.
“It has been a wonderful camp [in Spain]. We are very happy to be here to do some preparation for the new season,” Nldovu told the Chiefs media team.
“We are looking better and sharper each and every training session, and we have a new coach with a new philosophy, and we are adapting well to his ideas.
“Going into the Toyota Cup, our main test will be to see how much we are attuned to the new coach’s philosophy and fine-tuning our combinations and general understanding of how we want to play.”
Apart from witnessing what Da Cruz brings to Amakhosi and what to expect in the new season, fans could also have an opportunity to watch two new signings Chiefs have made so far this season.
The Soweto giants have signed goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, central defender Thabo Moloisane and former Azam FC captain Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko. More arrivals are expected at Naturena, including upfront, as Glody Lilepo is expected to join African giants Al Ahly, as first reported by FARPost.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM CHIEFS’ FRIENDLY GAMES IN SPAIN
With the Soweto giants returning to the Confederation Cup, Ndlovu feels the matches they played in Spain sharpened them for the continental competition.
“These games are a good way to test yourself as to where you are at. They were different types of teams,” Ndlovu went on.
“Rangers were more physical while Al Khalood were more tactical. You want to play against teams like that because it’s similar to what we are likely to face in the league and CAF Confederation Cup. We held our own and managed to score in all three games, so those are positives we can take forward.”
Da Cruz will be pushing to become the first coach to guide Chiefs to the PSL title since 2015. He would also want to deliver a continental trophy to Amakhosi for the first time since they lifted the then CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 2001.
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