Kaizer Chiefs keeper Brandon Peterson positive about pre-season tour of Netherlands

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson has spoken positively on the importance of the club’s upcoming two-week preseason tour of the Netherlands.

Chiefs, who struggled last season in the Betway Premiership, have lined up a series of matches in the Netherlands to sharpen their arsenals ahead of next season’s campaign.

The preparatory games include a fixture against Dutch second tier-side Vitesse on Tuesday July 8 before another clash against FC Utrecht three days later. Their other fixtures are against NEC Nijmegen on July 12 and against PEC Zwolle on July 15 with an encounter with FC Twente a day later.

Petersen, 30, hopes the five preparatory matches they will play during their preseason camp in the Netherlands will help Amakhosi measure their level against European sides.

“I think these are important, competitive friendlies for us. Playing against teams who play at the highest level abroad is always good, so we’re looking forward to seeing where we are weighing against some of these bigger teams,” Petersen said.

Chiefs will participate in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup after clinching the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup where they beat rivals Orlando Pirates by 2-1. The triumph ended their ten year trophy drought and Peterson believes the European experience will help the team shape up for the continental journey.

“The preseason is where we lay the foundation. We sweat and suffer now so that we can shine later. We’re pushing our bodies to the max to lay a foundation for the coming season. Obviously, we have a big season lying ahead with the CAF Confederation Cup on the horizon as well.

“What we do now as a team is very important not only physically but as a team to get that togetherness and brotherhood since there are a few players who joined us. It’s important to welcome them and gel as soon as possible,” the Chiefs keeper said.

Chiefs will look to correct the shortfalls of last season where they failed to reach the MTN Top 8 after finishing in 9th on 32 points from 28 matches.

Chiefs’ friendlies in the Netherlands (all in SA time)

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