Latest news with #NalediHlongwane
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs wrap up Netherlands Tour: Who fired, who flopped
Kaizer Chiefs have concluded their pre-season tour in the Netherlands after playing five matches in July. The Soweto giants have been training in the Netherlands for nearly three weeks as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. In the five matches they played, the Chiefs lost four of the five, but there are some positives to take away from those games. Amakhosi kicked off their pre-season tour with a match against SBV Vitesse Arnhem last week, where they went down 2-1. Their next match was against FC Utrecht, where they got humbled 4-0. A day later, Nasreddine Nabi's men suffered their third straight defeat following a 1-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen. Chiefs regrouped and played their best football against PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Naledi Hlongwane scored a second-half goal to give the Glamour Boys something to smile about. On Wednesday, Amakhosi concluded their tour with a 2-1 defeat to FC Twente. Most of the Kaizer Chiefs players looked decent during the Netherlands Tour, but they are a few who stood out. Which Kaizer Chiefs players excelled? Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Thabo Cele and Aden McCarthy are three players who impressed the most during the pre-season tour. Having joined Chiefs in January, Cele immediately hit the ground running and became one of the most impressive players in the team despite their poor 2024/25 campaign. Which players flopped? New signing Flavio Silva looked sluggish in the four games he played. At 29, all eyes will be on him this season with Amakhosi fans desperate for a good signing. The Portuguese striker failed to score or create chances in the Netherlands and that should worry Kaizer Chiefs. Mduduzi Shabalala is another player who produced a subpar performance. Many expected him to lead Amakhosi's attack, but failed to make the magic he showed in the early stages of the 2024/25 season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'Emphatic' or just enough? Either way Kaizer Chiefs win in Europe could lead the way in SA
Naledi Hlongwane scored the winning goal in Kaizer Chiefs' 1-0 pre-season victory over PEC Zwolle — their first win in The Netherlands after three straight defeats. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Kaizer Chiefs media department may have gone a little overboard in their description of Amakhosi's 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle on Tuesday night. 'Emphatic win for Chiefs in Holland,' read the headline on the club's match report. Well, perhaps that's what happens when you snap a three-match losing streak — any win feels euphoric. But while the victory, courtesy of a second-half goal by substitute Naledi Hlongwane, was deserved, it was anything but emphatic. Yes, Chiefs showed marked improvement from their previous outings. They were confident in possession, moved the ball forward with purpose, and varied their attacking play — mixing long-range shots with attempts to penetrate through Zwolle's defence. Tuesday's result offered much-needed relief for a team struggling for form. Before that match, Amakhosi had lost all three of their earlier encounters on the Dutch pre-season tour — a 4-0 drubbing by FC Utrecht, a narrow 1-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen, and a 2-1 defeat to SBV Vitesse. Their final match of the five-game tour took place on Wednesday night against FC Twente. The win over Zwolle came like rain in the desert for a side in desperate need of momentum as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. Chiefs have made several new signings in a bid to arrest their decline after two consecutive seasons without a top-eight finish. The decisive goal came after Zwolle's goalkeeper failed to hold on to a shot from Mduduzi Shabalala. Hlongwane — who had come on for the injured Flavio Silva — was quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball and burying it. His celebration was one of pure joy, shared with team-mates. It was a goal straight out of the Kaizer Chiefs Academy — both Shabalala and Hlongwane having risen through the ranks together since under-15 level. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane said. 'I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot. As a striker, you might only get one chance during a match — and that's when you have to be ready. "So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping for a rebound. And that's exactly what happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' Head coach Nasreddine Nabi continued to rotate his squad throughout the match, finishing with Aiden McCarthy as the only player to have completed the full 90 minutes. The Tunisian tactician has used the tour to assess different players and build combinations as part of a longer-term process. That process is what Angolan defender and new captain Miguel Inacio believes will lay the foundation for a successful season — one that includes league play, domestic cups and participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. 'The victory was great. However, in pre-season, the process comes first — it's not so much about winning,' Inacio said. 'In that process, you build the Kaizer Chiefs idea. We've seen our performances improve with each match. "Right now, we're laying the foundation that's needed to do well when the season begins. Pre-season is about incorporating the coach's ideas, integrating new players, and establishing tactical understanding. "Last season, we didn't get that combination right, even though the process was sound. This time, all those elements came together, and that's what made for a great performance — and yes, even an emphatic win.'
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hlongwane hails ‘fantastic feeling' after scoring for Chiefs
'As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready,' said the Chiefs attacker. Naledi Hlongwane scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs against PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Chiefs' young striker Naledi Hlongwane was ecstatic after scoring the winner for Amakhosi in their 1-0 friendly win over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Chiefs' young talent The 19 year-old was given his first professional contract by Chiefs in April and is a part of Nasreddine Nabi's squad currently in camp in the Netherlands ahead of the 2025/26 season. ALSO READ: Why was Rayners snubbed for top PSL Awards Hlongwane got his opportunity on Tuesday following an injury to Chiefs' new Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva. And he made the most of it by netting in the 56th minute, slotting home after the Zwolle 'keeper had parried Mduduzi Shabalala's effort. It was Chiefs' first win of their training camp, after losing their previous three training matches. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane told the Chiefs official website on his relationship with Shabalala. 'So, I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot at goal. As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready. So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping that the ball would bounce back into the field from him. One more match in the Netherlands 'And that's how it happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' ALSO READ: Maart bids emotional farewell to Chiefs Chiefs will play their final training match in the Netherlands against FC Twente on Wednesday. Kick off is at 7pm.
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Youngsters shine as Chiefs beat top-flight Zwolle in the Netherlands
Thulani Mabaso, one of Amakhosi's four DStv Diski Challenge U-23 side players taken with the senior team to Holland, took the shot that struck the post to set up the opening, second-half goal. Another, Naledi Hlongwane, buried the rebound for the 54th-minute decider. Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi started with more regular senior performers, then introduced younger players off the bench as his team had good possession and structure and created decent chances. Generally Chiefs impressed against the team that finished in 10th place in the Eredivise last season, though the Dutch side were under-strength. Just two players who were fielded in their last Eredivisie match of the 2024-25 season against Groningen were in the starting line-up against Chiefs as they ran the rule over some fringe players, though Zwolle did have at least five senior players on their bench.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
New hero? Kaizer Chiefs fans pin hopes on young Hlongwane
Kaizer Chiefs seem to have found a new hero in Naledi Hlongwane after their impressive 1-0 victory over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle. Hlongwane scored the only goal of the match, securing Amakhosi's first win in pre-season on Tuesday evening. Chiefs started the game with Thabiso Monyane, Nkanyiso Shinga, and Flavio da Silva in the lineup; however, it was the Dutch side that enjoyed most of the possession during the early stages of the first half. Despite their early dominance, Kaizer Chiefs appeared more likely to score, particularly with their effective combination play. Nearly 10 minutes into the second half, Naledi Hlongwane, who replaced Da Silva, netted the opener after Mduduzi Shabalala's shot hit the upright. From that moment, Nasreddine Nabi's team looked in control, although they were unable to find a second goal. Hlongwane's performance drew praise from Kaizer Chiefs fans. His coach at development Vela Khumalo has urged the club's supporters not to expect too much too soon from the youngster. 'Hlongwane is a promising youngster, and I have heard reports that he is excelling with the first team over in the Netherlands,' he told . 'However, I'm not sure if this is the right time for him to join the first team. He might face pressure since the team is not performing well at the moment. 'It's a catch-22 situation – whether he will live up to expectations or whether he needs to be supported by older, more experienced players to excel. It's a tricky situation. But he is ready,' Khumalo said. Hlongwane is sure to be a starter in some of Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season matches. Amakhosi will conclude their tour to the Netherlands when they face FC Twente. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
