"We really played well in our last game," Glody Lilepo reflects on Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season training fixture against Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, despite the 1-0 loss.

The Congolese attacker points out that the squad trained hard in the days before the back-to-back matches against FC Utrecht and NEC Nijmegen on respectively Friday and Saturday afternoon.

"So far we have focused a lot on physical training, having two sessions a day. The physical aspect always comes before the tactical and technical aspects of the game. That's typical pre-season."

Lilepo is therefore looking forward to the upcoming second round of back-to-back games, again against two strong Dutch Eredivisie (Premiership) sides. First up is PEC Zwolle on Tuesday, while Amakhosi will face FC Twente on Wednesday.

"These two games are important," the 27-year-old points out. "Especially with the Toyota Cup coming up later this month."

The Toyota Cup will be held in Durban this year when the Glamour Boys host Ghana's top side Asante Kotoko at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 26 July. Click to buy match tickets

Lilepo has strong views on the game of football, but he likes to keep it to himself. "I am a quiet guy," the forward says about himself.

However, he's also a social guy, who, when not resting after one of the tough training sessions, likes to challenge his teammates in a game of table tennis at the hotel in Apeldoorn, where Amakhosi camp. The Congolese often, for example, spars with new signing Ethan Chislett.

Lilepo who was born in Kinshasa (DRC), joined the Glamour Boys early this year from French side Valenciennes.

He made his Chiefs debut against Orlando Pirates on 1 February 2025. Since then, he has scored six times in 19 games in all competitions, including the Nedbank Cup final win.

"The preparations in Holland have been very positive," Lilepo concludes. "We are training hard to be ready for the upcoming season.

"Besides training hard, soccer is also about discipline, including tactical discipline. If you master that, you will succeed.

"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."

Details for the upcoming two friendly matches are as follows:

PEC Zwolle - Kaizer Chiefs

Tuesday 15 July, kick-off at 19:00

Sportpark Ezinge, in Meppel (FC Meppel)

For soccer fans, including South Africans living in Holland or elsewhere in Europe, who would like to attend the game, tickets can be bought online: tickets.peczwolle.nl

The entrance fee will cost 10 Euro, while youngsters until the age of 18 will pay 7.50 Euro and kids until 12-year-old pay 5 Euro.

FC Twente - Kaizer Chiefs

Wednesday, 16 July, kick-off at 19:00

Sportpark De Scheetheuvel in Delden (Rood Zwart)

The entrance fee for this second of the back-to-back matches will cost 12.50 Euro, while youngsters until the age of 12 will pay 5 Euro.

Tickets can also be bought digitally: kaartverkoop.fctwente.nl/dashboard - 'BESTELLEN' (on the Dutch language side) or 'ORDER' (English language).

Both Sportparks will be open an hour before the start of the game.

Both matches will be live streamed on YouTube, @KaizerChiefsFootballClub

The live streams will start about 15 minutes before kick-off.

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