THE COACH of Kaizer Chiefs, Fernando Da Cruz, will return from a trip to Spain to prepare for the start of the new Betway Premiership season knowing the type of players he found in the Naturena team and the decisions he has to make individually.
The Chiefs turned their backs on South Africa last night and insisted on Spain where they will stay until July 19. They will return to South Africa to face Scotland FC from Zimbabwe in the Toyota Cup in a match that will be held on July 26 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng.
After the Toyota Cup, the Betway Premiership league will begin on the weekend of August 1 and 2.
The kings, who have unveiled a new jersey for the 2026/2027 season, may look for it in the Toyota Cup.
In Spain, they will play friendly matches with teams that are considered to be hundreds in Europe. They will start against Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers on Saturday at the Marbella Sports Centre.
Chiefs will move to Murcia, Spain, where they will play the second match against Al Khalood of Saudi Arabia on July 15, at the Pinatar Arena before wrapping up the trip with a friendly against Elche of Spain on July 18.
These games will give Da Cruz the opportunity to see his new players up close. This will allow him to understand the areas he still needs to strengthen in his scheme before the signing window closes.
Chiefs have announced Renaldo Leaner and Thabo Moloisane from Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC respectively as their new staff.
Although there were many players whose contracts with Chiefs were expiring on June 30, they also had conditions to be extended. These include Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Bruce Bvuma, Dillan Solomons, Zitha Kwinika, Pule Mmodi, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Ashley du Preez who all seem to be continuing with Makhosi.
Khanyisa Mayo who was on loan from CR Belouizdad of Algeria, has been fully signed but it is not clear what will happen to Gaston Sirino since it turns out that he is training alone. George Matlou and Happy Mashiane have been released, they have been identified in Stellies.