Coach Nasreddine Nabi looks back with satisfaction on Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.

"We saw a lot of positives in our training matches against very strong Dutch opponents," the coach comments. "The players have started to understand the way I want them to play and they jell well as a strong unit."

After a week during which medical and physical tests were conducted, the Amakhosi squad trained for about one week in South Africa, before heading to Holland for their pre-season training camp in Apeldoorn from 4 to 19 July, the day of their departure back home.

During this period, the Glamour Boys played five pre-season training games, often performing well and excellently beating PEC Zwolle 1-0.

After arriving back in South Africa, there will be another few weeks before the league season starts.

"Our camp took place in beautiful surroundings," the Tunisian-born coach reflects. "The fields on which we trained were in perfect condition and our opponents were really good. As a result of all this, the pre-season camp was beneficial to everyone.

"One of the conditions of having a good season is having a good pre-season - that's where the foundation is laid."

"We didn't only want quality opponents," Nabi explains, "we also wanted quantity. Parallel with this, we did some tough physical work at training, even doing double-sessions on the day before a match.

"We did this to have the players play games feeling extremely fatigued. That was not only to prepare the team for the league season, but also for the CAF Confederation Cup games for which we will often have to travel for long hours. That's when players will have to perform while feeling very tired.

"We even had two sessions the day after one of the friendlies, with the objective of getting the players mentally ready. That's also why we organised back-to-back matches twice, playing a friendly two days in a row. It allowed us as well to give maximum opportunities to all the players to get minutes."

Coach Nabi also credits Chiefs' sports psychologist Dr. Henning Gericke for helping to create team unity and building a real strong collective. 

He's also optimistic about the new signings who joined the pre-season camp in the Netherlands, including Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett, Thabiso Monyane and Flavio Silva. 

"They need to fully jell with the group," Nabi points out about the newcomers. "However, they are all adapting nicely, and they start to understand what I expect from them. Our objective was to sign new players that will bring us to a higher level compared to last season."  

He's impressed with, not only the quality, but above all, the "character", of the three youngsters coming from the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy, Thulani Mabaso, Kabelo Nkgwesa and Naledi Hlongwane. They all joined the pre-season camp in Holland, with Hlongwane netting the winner against PEC Zwolle.

"We don't want to rush them," the coach explains, "however, I am always willing to give maximum opportunities to young talents. If you are good enough, you are old enough to play. That's my philosophy."

What specifically made Nabi happy is the way the pre-season camp was organised. "It was all extremely professional, from the hotel staff to the quality of the opponents. The weather was also amazing, which helped." Then he adds with a wink: "Better than training in 40 degrees in Spain."

What also encourages the coach is the attitude of the players: "We really pushed the guys hard during the training sessions in Holland. It was tough, extremely tough. However, they never complained. Always giving their best. That was inspiring to see."

Coach Nabi furthermore wants to thank Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Dr. Kaizer Motaung, Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr., Marketing Director Jessica Motaung, the Board and all the others who made this "amazing" pre-season camp in the Netherlands possible.

"I feel absolutely optimistic about the upcoming season," the coach concludes.