Motaung Gives Update On Chiefs Transfers
It appears Kaizer Chiefs are not finished in the transfer market. According to sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr., strengthening the squad is an ongoing process, especially considering their upcoming involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup this season.
Having finished outside the top eight for the last two seasons, Amakhosi already welcomed six new players: Thabiso Monyane, Ethan Chislett, Paseka Mako, Flavio Silva, Siphesihle Ndlovu, and Nkanyiso Shinga. Each of these players is expected to make a significant impact.
The team will begin their new campaign this coming Sunday with an away match against Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town.
However, they will be without their coach, Nasreddine Nabi, whose wife was involved in a serious car accident. Nabi left the country for Tunisia on Friday to be with her.
“We believe we have reinforced key areas within the squad, but we know that recruitment is an ongoing process,” he said.
Following their opening match, Chiefs will have three consecutive home matches at FNB Stadium: Polokwane City on August 13, Richards Bay on August 19, and Mamelodi Sundowns on August 27.
The fast start to the season will conclude with an away game against Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban on 30 August, a match that will wrap up Women’s Month.
Motaung Jr. emphasizes the importance of a strong start. “It is crucial for us to start strongly, as the games will come thick and fast this season due to the AFCON break in December and next year being a World Cup year,” he states.
“Additionally, we’ll be participating in the CAF Confederation Cup, meaning our schedule will be tight and busy.”
The sporting director highlighted that the primary goal is to secure as many points as possible early in the season to establish a strong position before the CAF Confederation Cup campaign begins in September.
“We are very happy to be back in one of CAF’s prestigious competitions,” Motaung says. “We aim to build on our successful run in 2021 that saw us go all the way to the finals of the CAF Champions League against Al Ahly in Morocco.”
Motaung also provided insight into their preseason preparations. “When we went to the Netherlands for our preseason, our primary focus was to get the team fully ready for this season,” he explains.
“Playing some of the top Dutch teams, including FC Twente, and then participating in the Toyota Cup against Asante Kotoko, who have also qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup, was a strategic move for us as we prepared for the 2025/26 season. We also played against PSL opposition behind closed doors to ensure the guys were ready for this first weekend of the new league campaign.”
