Chiefs to clash with Eredivisie sides in Netherlands pre-season

Kaizer Chiefs. Photo credit: Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs are set to intensify their preparations for the 2025/26 season with a pre-season tour of the Netherlands, including friendly matches against two Eredivisie clubs.

The Soweto giants began their pre-season training on Friday, June 20, and will travel to the Netherlands for a camp from 3 to July 19. This camp is designed to prepare Nasreddine Nabi's squad with strong European opposition.

FC Utrecht, an Eredivisie side that finished fourth last season and secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League playoffs, announced a closed-door friendly against Amakhosi on July 11. On their official website, FC Utrecht acknowledged Kaizer Chiefs as "the most popular club in South Africa".

Following this, another Eredivisie club, NEC Nijmegen, confirmed on their website that they will host the Chiefs on July 12. This match will take place at Sportpark De Passelegt in Gelderland, approximately 100 km from Amsterdam. NEC Nijmegen finished eighth in the Eredivisie last season.

In addition to the match against Kaizer Chiefs, FC Utrecht will also face Siyabonga Ngezana's FCSB in another pre-season fixture.

NEC Nijmegen, who have been active in the transfer market, will use the friendly against Kaizer Chiefs to test their new signings. They have already secured Youssef El Kachati from Telstar and welcomed back Tjaronn Chery.

The club is also reportedly close to finalising deals for former FC Twente attacker Virgil Misidjan and goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz, with Misidjan, a 31-year-old free agent, having already completed a medical. Crettaz, 25, previously worked with new NEC coach Dick Schreuder at Castellon, and his potential arrival comes amidst speculation about Robin Roefs's possible move to Ajax.

NEC Nijmegen's broader pre-season schedule also includes matches against Germany’s Werder Bremen and VfL Sportfreunde Lotte, as well as Dutch clubs SC NEC and SC Groningen (who finished 13th in Eredivisie), De Treffers, and Greek side PAOK Saloniki.