Kaizer Chiefs faced a daunting challenge in their second pre-season friendly, as they were overwhelmed by Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht, suffering a 4-0 loss on Friday evening at the Zoudenbalch Training Centre in Utrecht, Netherlands.
The encounter, played behind closed doors, tested the mettle of the Chiefs, who struggled against a side that is considerably advanced in their pre-season preparations. Chiefs started promisingly with a strong first-half display.
This 4-0 outcome starkly reminds coach Nasreddine Nabi’s squad of the work that lies ahead. Despite creating three solid goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, Chiefs’ inability to convert their chances proved costly, more so after FC Utrecht capitalised on one of their few attempts.
A well-executed free-kick saw the Dutch side take the lead, a decisive moment that took the wind out of Chiefs’ sails.
Promising performances came from Chiefs’ captain, Inácio Miguel, who proved to be a fortress in defence, and Mduduzi Shabalala, whose creative play continued to cause problems for the opposition.
Midfielder Thabo Cele also delivered a commendable performance, demonstrating strong control in the midfield battle.
A spectator at the match was Alje Schut, a former defender for Mamelodi Sundowns. He now serves as FC Utrecht’s head of scouting. Post-match, Schut praised the Chiefs for their organisation on the pitch but emphasised that match outcomes often hinge on small details, highlighting their need for improvement.
“The players will learn from those kinds of moments,” he said, reflecting on the tactical nuances that separate a decent performance from victory.
Nabi opted to maintain the previous game’s starting XI until the 60th minute, at which point the scoreline had ballooned to 0-3.
FC Utrecht, currently gearing up for a critical UEFA Europa Cup qualifier in 13 days, clearly demonstrated their readiness, while the Chiefs have much work to do before the start of their season.
Aden McCarthy, who played the full 90 minutes and formed a solid defensive partnership with Miguel, described the encounter as “really tough”, acknowledging the resilience of a team that finished fourth in the Eredivisie standings.
“It was interesting to see how they processed this match and how they approached it, especially when they pressured us,” he stated, revealing a newfound understanding of on-field dynamics with his defensive partner. “We understand each other very well. We often don’t even need to communicate with one another to know what is needed,” he added.
As Chiefs regroup and analyse the lessons from this defeat, one thing is clear: they have a long road ahead to refine their strategies and build the synergy necessary to compete at the highest level.
Chiefs will be back in action Saturday against NEC Nijmegen and will again use the game to gauge the new signings who will help the team realise their objectives next season.
