Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has hit out at Orlando Pirates’ pre-season tour of Spain while lauding his club’s decision to go to the Netherlands.
Chiefs completed their tour of the Netherlands last weekend after two weeks in the European country where they played five friendly matches, three against Eredivisie sides, and two with Dutch second tier sides.
Chiefs began their series of friendly matches with a 2-1 defeat to Vitesse, followed by a 4-0 loss to Utrecht before NEC handed them 1-0 defeat. The Glamour Boys’ only win was a 1-0 triumph over PEC Zwolle after which they ended their pre-season friendlies with a 2-1 defeat to FC Twente.
However, Nabi is not looking into the results but rather the calibre of opponents as well as the mental and physical benefits of staying in Holland during the two-week period.
Nabi hits out at Orlando Pirates’ choice of Spain
Reflecting over their stay in the Netherlands, Nabi lauded Chiefs for choosing a country with the best environment and weather unlike their arch rivals Pirates who went to Spain which he finds favourable.
“It was all extremely professional, from the hotel staff to the quality of the opponents,” Nabi said via a statement on the club’s website.
“The weather was also amazing, which helped. Better than training in 40 degrees in Spain,” he added, aiming a brutal dig at Pirates.
“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,” the Tunisia coach further said.
Will Holland tour yield positive results for Chiefs?
It remains to be seen if the great conditions in Holland will rub off on Nabi’s players in 2025-26 as there is massive pressure to improve on their disappointing ninth place of last season.
Nabi will have little excuses this time after escaping the axe when he masterminded Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup win over Pirates to earn a ticket to next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Chiefs will play Ghana giants Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup on Saturday July 26 before they intensify their final preparations for the season which will see them kick off against Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, August 10.
