Kaizer Chiefs are set to kick-start their series of friendly matches during their ongoing preseason camp currently taking place in the Netherlands this evening. Midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has shared his thoughts on the atmosphere of the camp in anticipation of their opening match.
Amakhosi will clash with Eerste Divisie side Vitesse this evening, with kick-off set for 19:00 local time.
The 21-year-old has been an important part of Chiefs’ set-up since graduating from the club’s DDC. He helped the team break the decade-long trophy drought when they won the 2025 Nedbank Cup.
He played 33 matches, scored four goals and provided two assists across all competitions last season. He received a national team call-up and made his debut during Bafana Bafana’s goalless draw against Mauritius in the Cosafa Cup last month.
“I started the season well, but I didn’t finish on a high note. As a team, we learnt that we need to manage ourselves better and we need to concentrate more on our finishing.
“Doubtlessly, we definitely want to win more of our home games next season to be able to compete for top positions on the league table,” he said, as quoted by the club’s website.
“Being selected for the national team was a huge honour. It was also good for my self-confidence, and the games taught me a lot. I have no doubt I will be able to take all these lessons to the CAF Confederations Cup, for which we, as Kaizer Chiefs, qualified.
Shabalala provided a crucial update on the team’s training currently underway in Dutch, adding that the players are enjoying healthy competition for a place in the starting lineup.
“So far, so good. All players are fighting for a position in the first team. It’s a fiery, but healthy competition.
“However, with regard to the training matches in the Netherlands, we are here to learn. It’s not so much about the result.
“We want to take all these learning experiences with us back to South Africa. For sure, we will compete in our training matches, but more importantly, to get better as a team. That’s our objective.”
The game tonight is much-awaited as supporters are excited to watch the newly acquired players perform. The Glamour Boys have revealed a total of six new signings to date.