Kaizer Chiefs Gear Up for CAF Confederation Cup After Key Squad Reinforcements

Kaizer Chiefs Tackle New Season with Fresh Faces and Renewed Ambition

The mood at Naturena feels different. Sure, missing out on the MTN8 still stings, considering Kaizer Chiefs' reputation as one of South Africa’s most decorated teams. But behind the scenes, Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr is steering the ship with a clear plan: build, reinforce, and never settle. The message is simple—while chefs in the kitchen may have changed, the hunger for trophies remains.

When you look at how last season finished, it hit hard. Ending outside the top eight meant Kaizer Chiefs didn’t get a shot at the MTN8 this year. It left both fans and management feeling frustrated. But instead of sulking, the club shifted gears. No one at Naturena is making excuses. Motaung Jr speaks about their transfer business with both honesty and ambition: "We believe we have reinforced key areas within the squad, but recruitment is an ongoing process." That’s a hint to fans—expect more movement both soon and as the season unfolds. This approach shows the club isn't satisfied with patchwork fixes. Instead, they're focused on building depth and quality, especially with a packed schedule ahead.

Preseason Challenges Build a Stronger Squad

Most teams settle for a few low-risk friendlies to get ready for a new season. Kaizer Chiefs took it further. Their squad packed up and headed to the Netherlands for some real tests against Eredivisie clubs, such as FC Twente. These matches weren’t just about fitness—they were designed for lessons in tactics and resilience. There aren’t many better ways to see where you stand than lining up against Dutch top-flight teams on their own turf. After the Europe stint, Chiefs faced Ghana’s Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup—another high-intensity matchup. It’s not every day a South African team gears up with global competition before a domestic season. Alongside those headline fixtures, Chiefs played several closed-door friendlies against PSL sides. The goal? Fine-tune chemistry, work on weaknesses, and make sure no player entered the season off the pace.

Motaung Jr highlighted the goal behind the overseas tour: to sharpen the entire squad in anticipation of a demanding campaign. “Playing some of the top Dutch teams, and then coming back to participate in the preseason Toyota Cup against Asante Kotoko, was a strategic move for us as we prepared for 2025/26.” The technical team wants more than just fresh legs—they want players ready for big nights in continental competitions and the physical grind of the DStv Premiership.

With the new domestic season on the doorstep, Chiefs are pinpointing the first five league fixtures as crucial. Win early, and you build confidence. Slip up, and pressure mounts fast. These first games carry extra weight this time, because the club is also juggling the excitement and expectation of the CAF Confederation Cup, starting in September. The Chiefs know all too well about long runs in Africa; their trip to the Champions League final in Morocco against Al Ahly in 2021 is still fresh in fans’ minds. This time, the target is clear: another deep run, perhaps even silverware.

Motaung Jr summed up the club's mindset heading into the new era: "We are very happy to be back in one of CAF’s prestigious competitions. 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." The hunger and belief are obvious.

If you follow Chiefs, mark your calendar for Sunday: they face Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium, kicking off at 17:30. Tickets are available for R80 through Webtickets and Pick 'n Pay Supermarkets, and a big turnout is expected as hopes are high for a strong start.

Of course, none of these plans matter without one crucial ingredient—the fans. Motaung Jr made a point to thank them: "Our supporters are very important to us and continue to be the driving force." Chiefs know their 12th man lifts the team in tough moments. After grabbing the Nedbank Cup at the end of last season, every player and staff member at the club is hungry for more silverware. Fans are being urged to show up, keep the drums beating, and expect a season packed with drama, fight, and, hopefully, more trophies heading to Naturena.