Kaizer Chiefs began their preparations for the new season by undergoing crucial medical assessments. Given Msimango has outlined his hopes for the upcoming pre-season tour after a disappointing 2024/25 season.
Amakhosi are heading to the Netherlands for their pre-season camp, where they will play five friendly matches from 3 to 19 July.
Upon their return, they will travel to Durban for a clash against Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko, in the Toyota Cup on 26 July at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Msimango had a challenging season, struggling for game time at the start of the season. He eventually got a place in the starting line-up following the injury of Rushwin Dortley, but was ultimately sidelined due to a persistent injury.
His last appearance was on 5 April against TS Galaxy in a Betway Premiership match. He played a total of 10 games across all competitions last season.
The 28-year-old confirmed that he has fully recovered from the injury that shelved him for the last two months of the 2024/25 season and that he is looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
“It feels good, first day to be back. I went through quite a scary injury, but it’s nothing that I’m not used to, that I haven’t experienced before. So yeah, that strain kind of kept you [him] off for 2 months, but now I’m back training well, recovering and regaining my strength,” he said.
The former TS Galaxy centre-back stressed the importance of undergoing medical check-ups in preparing for a new season, adding that they give players clear indications of where they must improve.
“These medicals are extremely important because they’re a benchmark for the season that is to come, to see where you are medically, to see what your strengths are, your weaknesses are and what you need to work on, to focus on as a player individually.
“It all starts on day one with the medicals. Making sure that you are fit, healthy and strong to last the entire season,” he continued.
He said he is eager for the team to test their talents against the European teams that they will face during the camp. The Glamour Boys held their pre-season in Turkey last year.
“Netherlands is a big footballing nation, and so is Turkey as well, but the Netherlands is quite a big league, a youthful league as well, and they develop a lot of European talents.
“I’m looking forward to the guys going and testing themselves against one of the best young up-and-coming talents Europe has to offer, just to gauge who we are individually and as a team,’ Msimango concluded.
Match Schedule:
- 08 July, 19:00 – SBV Vitesse Arnhem | Sportpark Driel, Driel (Open to Public)
- 11 July, 16:00 – FC Utrecht | TBC
- 12 July, 14:00 – NEC Nijmegen | Overasselt (Open to Public)
- 15 July, 19:00 – PEC Zwolle | Meppel (Open to Public)
- 16 July, 19:00 – FC Twente | Enschede | Delden (Open to Public)