Pre-season key to Kaizer Chiefs winning trophies – Lilepo

Kaizer Chiefs striker Glody Lilepo has explained why the pre-season tour of the Netherlands is critical to Amakhosi’s prospects of winning silverware in the 2025-2026 Betway Premiership season.

The Congolese attacker said this while counting the team’s and personal gains from the pre-season tour of Europe.

“And if you want to challenge for trophies, one needs to have a good pre-season. It’s as simple as that, there is no other option. We are jelling nicely as a team, including the new players. I really feel positive looking ahead,” the 27-year-old told Chiefs media.

The Glamour Boys, as the team is also called, have lost three straight matches in the European country.

However, the Congolese forward chose to look at the larger picture. The South Africans have so far lost to Vitesse (2-1), FC Utrecht (4-0) and NEC Nijmegen (1-0). Reflecting on the last game against NEC, Lilepo felt the Soweto giants played well and deserved more from the game.

“The preparations in Holland have been very positive. We are training hard to be ready for the upcoming season,” he added.

The towering forward said he is geared for the forthcoming second round of friendlies against top Dutch Eredivisie (Premiership) sides. Nasreddine Nabi’s men take on PEC Zwolle on Tuesday then FC Twente on Wednesday.

Upon their return, Chiefs will continue with their pre-season by playing against Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 26 July 2025.

“These two games are important. Especially with the Toyota Cup coming up later this month,” Lilepo added. “Besides training hard, soccer is also about discipline, including tactical discipline. If you master that, you will succeed.”

Lilepo joined the Glamour Boys early this year from French side Valenciennes, featuring in 19 games and scoring six goals to lead Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup triumph.