Motaung Highlights Importance Of Netherlands Pre-Season
Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has revealed the significance of having the pre-season in the Netherlands, saying it was vital for them since they will crisscross the continent next season.
Currently in the Netherlands, the Chiefs squad underwent an intense gym session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a high-intensity outing on a soccer pitch in Apeldoorn. Motaung Jr. observed the training closely.
After conducting their pre-season in Turkey in 2024, Chiefs opted for the Netherlands this year. This move marks a return to overseas pre-season camps for Amakhosi, reminiscent of their 2001 trip to South Korea for the Peace Cup.
“It’s about cross-cultures and about having a pre-season at a higher level than we are used to, which also has to do with having really competitive training matches,” explains Motaung Jr. the reasoning for taking the squad to Holland for pre-season.
The Sporting Director himself experienced training and playing in Europe as a young attacker, encompassed with a two-week trial at Chelsea’s Academy, followed by playing for two seasons, from 2001 to 2003, for Germany’s side 1860 Munich.
“Training and playing games in Europe is also about getting players out of their comfort zone,” Motaung Jr. adds. “It’s a different environment; it’s about a lot of travelling to the training matches and it’s about preparing the mindset of the players for the upcoming season.”
In addition, it will help the squad to get ready for the CAF Confederation Cup, for which Amakhosi qualified thanks to winning the 2025 Nedbank Cup. The games for the Confederation Cup involve a lot of travelling as well, even more than presently experienced in Holland.
“We want the players to test themselves against these really strong sides,” continues Motaung Jr. “They will learn from it and will not only become better as individual players, but, maybe even more important, improve as a team.
“That’s why we are so happy that the Chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung, and the Board supported us to go overseas for pre-season again.”
Chiefs will play five training games against strong Dutch opponents, with the first match coming against Vitesse at Sportpark Driel in Driel on Tuesday, 8 July (kick-off is at 19:00).
“Going to Holland is not only something new for the youngsters, but also for several of the older players. It’s about integrating the newly signed players into the squad and bonding as a team.”
“The most important aspect, of course,” concludes Motaung Jr., “is to get the players fully prepared for the upcoming season, both from a physical and tactical point of view.”
