Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy has backed the club to carry forward their strong second-round form from last season and remain highly competitive in the new campaign.
Amakhosi are set to kick off their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign with an opening fixture against top-flight newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening [20:00].
The Glamour Boys finished third in the 2025/26 season to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup, but have since made key technical changes, with Fernando da Cruz stepping in for Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
The club has also witnessed several player departures, including McCarthy’s son, Aden, who parted ways with the Soweto giants to join Azerbaijan outfit Sabah FK.
Despite the adjustments in the camp, McCarthy believes the modifications will not derail the team’s progress, though he cautioned supporters against setting unrealistically high expectations.
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“Obviously, there are not a lot of new signings or changes. But I think the momentum will continue from the way they finished off last season,” McCarthy told FARPost.
Reflecting on Chiefs’ previous campaign, McCarthy noted: “They really finished strong, mostly in the second round of the season. It was very impressive. One could see that there is direction. The players were coming to the party, and you know it’s just sad that this time of the season some players will have to leave, while some will have to come in.
“But I think once the players realise what they have when they join Chiefs or what is at their disposal when they are at the Kaizer Chiefs Village [in Naturena], then some of them will perform better. Once you leave the Village, my brother, out of experience, it’s something that will take time to overcome.”
He further added that accountability ultimately rests on the pitch.
“Definitely, there seems to be a plan. It looks like there is a strategy. I am saying the coach or management can do anything, but when it comes to match day, it’s up to what the players are doing collectively as a group or individually.”
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