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Kaizer Chiefs players during the pre-season tour in the Netherlands.
Kaizer Chiefs marketing and commercial manager, Jessica Motaung, says winning their first trophy in 10 years at the end of last season, has re-energized the team. She also described their recent pre-season tour to the Netherlands as very successful.
Amakhosi returned on Sunday from their two-week tour where they prepared for the season ahead.
This was an opportunity for coach Nasreddine Nabi to gauge the level of their new singings ahead of the new season.
Although a formal announcement is pending, the club has signed five new players. They are Portuguese striker Flavio Silva, midfielder Ethan Chislett, as well as defenders Nkanyiso Shinga, Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako.
The travelling squad also included three youngsters from the Chiefs academy.
“The pre-season was definitely something that we planned strategically. We wanted to make sure that our team is really facing tough competition and really took time to make sure that the technical team really had time to strategize. So, the lessons from those games will definitely be integrated and I think there’s a lot more strategy that will be implemented going forward,” says Motaung.
With the current transfer window wide open, Chiefs could be making more additions to their squad.
“No, we certainly are going to be signing more players. The window is certainly open until September, and I think all teams will be looking and negotiating. Obviously, we still have certain negotiations to conclude, but certainly, we are excited that we will be bringing in more players to beef up the team,” Motaung explains.
She says they aim to challenge every trophy on offer this coming season.
“(We are) very happy that we won the Nedbank Cup and it certainly propelled us in getting that winning energy back into Naturena and certainly that’s something we want to continue going into the new season. That’s critical for us, winning and fighting for everything that is on the table. Well, the team’s ambitions are to win. We are all in it. We are in for everything that’s on offer and that is what we want our supporters to know. We want our supporters in that vision and make sure that they support our players who are here to do the work,” Motaung elaborates.
Chiefs also launched their home and away kit for the new season.
The new jersey will be on display when the Soweto giants take on Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the annual Toyota Cup at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
“I think everyone knows that in football when you win trophies it creates a different type of energy. So, we are excited for the team to walk out on Saturday. They will be wearing both the home and away jersey. First half, the home jersey, second half the away jersey and we are excited for the fans to get even more excitement by seeing these two new jerseys, and as you mentioned, once you win a trophy the excitement is there as the brand Kappa is really excited to help facilitate the players in wearing the best gear to win more trophies this season,” says Ricky Joseph, Head of Kappa SA.
After finishing in a disappointing 10th on the log last season, Chiefs will not be part of the season opening MTN8 competition early next month.
Amakhosi will face Stellenbosch FC in their Betway Premiership opener at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on the 10th of August.
Video: Kaizer Chiefs’ new jersey and new additions to the team
