Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Jul 13, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs delivered a fine performance, despite going 1-0 down against Dutch Eredivise (Premiership) club NEC Nijmegen on Saturday afternoon.
The Glamour Boys were vocally well-supported by about 100 South African soccer lovers, with most proudly wearing an Amakhosi jersey. In total, there were about 2 500 football fans in attendance at the lovely and atmospheric accommodation of the Overasseltse Boys in Overasselt.
With back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, and with the squad having been training hard last week, coach Nasreddine Nabi decided to start with quite a different line-up compared to the other pre-season friendlies played so far.
Chiefs' starting XI - Petersen, Solomons, Kwinika, Miguel (c), Frosler, Vilakazi, Zwane, Matlou, Sirino, Mmodi, Morris.
NEC Nijmegen started strong and put Chiefs on the back foot early on. Amakhosi, however, fought hard and didn't concede despite the early pressure on their defensive.
Slowly, however, the Glamour Boys fought themselves back into the game, with Samkelo Zwane important in the movements forward and George Matlou also doing well.
Like in the earlier games, Gastón Sirino showed flashes of brilliance, often leaving his opponent behind flabbergasted.
The Uruguayan nearly scored as well, gliding with the ball at his feet past his marker, only for the goalkeeper to make a fine safe.
On the right side, Mfundo Vilakazi used his on-the-ball trickery to create danger upfront and nearly scored from a free-kick.
Bruce Bvuma came on for Brandon Petersen in goal at the start of the second half.
After about 60 minutes, there were numerous substitutions. The XI: Bvuma - Monyane, McCarthy, Kwinika (C), Shinga, Ngcobo, Mthethwa, Cele, Lilepo, Hlongwane, Mmodi
Chiefs conceded a goal in the 73th minute. Click to watch full match
Thereafter, Amakhosi started to do well, creating a few excellent chances.
There were two more substitutions with Ethan Chislett coming on for Pule Mmodi and Thulani Mabaso replacing Thabo Cele.
Above all, Mabaso impressed with a spirited performance, upping the tempo and creating various attacking moves. The youngster got close to scoring, when he was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who made a superb safe.
Attacker Naledi Hlongwane went flying horizontally in the air, trying to bicycle kick the ball into the back of the net, but again the NEC-keeper was alert.
After the referee's final whistle, there was a round of loud applause from the crowd for both sides, as the spectators had seen a spirited performance from both sides.
Dutchman Koen Hermsen watched the whole game in the jersey of his favourite side, NEC Nijmegen. "The match was very well-balanced," he admitted, reflecting on the match.
"The Chiefs players combined very well with each other, passing the ball around excellently. That was a joy to watch.
"To be honest, when Chiefs started to put pressure on us during the last 15 minutes of the game, I was worried. I really thought Chiefs would equalise."
It wasn't to be, though.
"The more games we play against these type of quality opponents, the more we learn," Ngcobo analysed. "With every game we improve as a team and you saw that today.
"NEC Nijmegen was technically and tactically better than us, but not that much better. We could cope.
"Every time we look at the strength of our Dutch opponents, we try to keep a check on their strength. Meanwhile, we also try to capitalise on their weaknesses."
Ngcobo thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere at the game. "It was marvellous!"
"It was a tough game," Vilakazi commented. "But we are feeling good about our performance today. We managed to play well."
The 19-year-old is not worried about having lost the three pre-season friendlies played in the Netherlands so far.
"We are getting better with each game. We will definitely win one of our last matches."