Pre-season tours are meant to build momentum and chemistry—but for Kaizer Chiefs, their recent trip to the Netherlands ended up being more of a reality check than a confidence boost.
With just one win out of five games, it’s safe to say things didn’t exactly go according to plan for coach Nasreddine Nabi and his team.
A String of Defeats Sets the Tone
The tour kicked off with a 2-1 loss to Vitesse, setting the stage for what turned into a rough ride in Europe.
Things got even worse in their next outing when FC Utrecht dismantled the Chiefs with a dominant 4-0 win.
Barely 24 hours later, Amakhosi were back on the pitch—and unfortunately, back in the losing column—falling 1-0 to NEC. That made it three straight defeats.
One Win Offers a Glimmer of Hope
Chiefs fans finally had something to smile about in the fourth game.
The team managed to grind out a 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle, giving them their first and only win of the pre-season campaign.
But that joy was short-lived. In their final match, they were edged out 1-0 by FC Twente, bringing the curtain down on a disappointing run of games.
Final Record: One Win, Four Losses
In total, Chiefs played five matches in the Netherlands, losing four and winning just one.
For a club aiming to bounce back and challenge for titles this season, this pre-season tour fell flat and exposed several weaknesses—especially in attack.
Chiefs’ Striker Woes Come into Focus
Let’s be honest—it’s not just about the losses. What really stood out was the team’s toothless frontline.
Across five matches, they only managed to score two goals.
One was a brilliant strike from Reeve Frosler, a defender.
The other came from Naledi Hlongwane, a DDC (development) player. That means not a single goal was scored by any of the main forwards.
Seven and a half hours of football… and zero goals from the strikers? That’s a serious concern.
Flavio Silva and Wandile Duba Under Pressure
New signing Flavio Silva hasn’t delivered yet.
Whether he’s still adjusting or just not the answer, time will tell—but fans are getting restless.
On the other hand, young Wandile Duba has plenty of potential but clearly needs more support and mentorship to develop into a consistent threat.
A Striker Signing Is Now Urgent
With the new season fast approaching, Chiefs can’t afford to go into competitive matches without addressing their goal-scoring problems.
The current squad lacks that sharp, clinical finisher they desperately need.
Reports suggest two potential striker targets are on the club’s radar—but nothing concrete yet.
Time for Chiefs to Reflect and Respond
This pre-season tour should serve as a wake-up call.
There’s still time to make adjustments, both tactically and in terms of personnel.
The club has a proud history and passionate supporters who expect better—and rightfully so.