Kaizer Chiefs navigated another challenging season in the Betway Premiership, but found significant redemption by clinching the Nedbank Cup title, bringing a long-awaited piece of silverware back to Naturena.
The 2024/25 campaign kicked off with a renewed sense of optimism for the Glamour Boys under incoming Tunisian head coach Nasreddine Nabi. The club bolstered its squad with eight new signings, including the marquee acquisition of former Mamelodi Sundowns star Gaston Sirino.
Amakhosi began their Betway Premiership journey with two impressive away victories, but their perfect start was abruptly halted by a 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs quickly bounced back from that league defeat, delivering a resounding 4-0 victory over SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16.
Read: “I’d wake up at 2am to play for Bafana Bafana” – Thabo Cele
That being said, a 1-0 league loss to Matsatsantsa just a week later seemed to trigger a period of inconsistency for the Soweto giants. They managed to win only one of their subsequent six matches, a run that included a crushing 4-0 defeat to Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarter-final.
This heavy loss also marked the last appearance for Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, who was replaced by Bruce Bvuma after a string of unconvincing performances.
Despite some convincing performances in the Nedbank Cup, the team struggled to find consistency in the league, failing to win consecutive matches and consequently falling further behind the title contenders.
In January, Amakhosi attempted to invigorate their squad with the additions of midfielder Thabo Cele, DR Congo forward Glody Lilepo, and striker Tashreeq Morris.
However, the team’s league struggles persisted, particularly in converting chances in the final third—a recurring issue that had even led to striker Ranga Chivaviro facing boos from frustrated supporters earlier in the season.
Injuries to the first-choice defensive pairing of Bafana Bafana’s Rushwin Dortley and Angola’s Inacio Miguel further compounded their problems, contributing to an increase in errors at the back and ultimately leading to a concerning 12 losses in the Betway Premiership.
Despite their league woes, Chiefs found their rhythm in the Nedbank Cup, culminating in a triumphant run that saw them lift the trophy.
This victory was particularly sweet, as it ended the club’s infamous ten-year trophy drought with a win against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final. Not withstanding that, they dispatched Mamelodi Sundowns as well as Stellenbosch en route to the final.
Unfortunately, a late surge to secure a top-eight spot in the league proved futile. The Soweto giants failed to register a single victory in their last nine Betway Premiership matches, ultimately finishing the season in a disappointing 9th position.
Nevertheless, the impactful performances of Glody Lilepo, who remarkably finished as the team’s top scorer despite only joining midway through the season, and the visionary passing ability of Thabo Cele brought moments of joy to the loyal fanbase.
Furthermore, the promising displays from the young trio of Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Wandile Duba also offered encouraging signs for the future, with all three expected to play significant roles in the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, Kaizer Chiefs will undoubtedly approach it with optimism. With a crucial return to continental football in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, the club will be eager to strengthen their squad with quality signings and aim for a more consistent and successful campaign.