Kaizer Chiefs striker Naledi Hlongwane believes they are capable of achieving big things next season despite their struggles last term and the poor pre-season results they have recorded.
Chiefs had a poor PSL campaign in 2024-25, when they finished a disappointing ninth, to miss out on the top eight for a second straight season, but saved their season with the Nedbank Cup win.
The cup gives them an opportunity to return to continental football as they are set to feature in the CAF Confederation Cup and Hlongwane feels continental and domestic success are both possible next season.
What are Kaizer Chiefs targeting next season?
“We want to go all out this season. It’s a new opportunity to do well, in the league, the cups, the Confederation Cup,” Hlongwane told the club’s website. “Ask all the players, we really want to challenge for a top three position.”
Hlongwane is among young players who look set to get a run in the senior side next season as Chiefs look to beef up their attack after their strikers failed to deliver last term.
The Glamour Boys did not have an inspiring pre-season tour of the Netherlands as they won just one of their five matches, conceding nine goals while scoring just three.
Amakhosi did not have a positive pre-season
Chiefs started their pre-season friendlies with a 2-1 loss to Vitesse, followed by a 4-0 defeat to Utrecht before NEC handed them 1-0 defeat and their only win was a 1-0 victory past PEC Zwolle after which they ended with a 2-1 defeat to FC Twente.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi will, however, be hoping that new signings Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane and Siphesihle Ndlovu, plus others that will be added, can help in their bid for a change in fortunes next season.
The Nedbank Cup win kind of saved Nabi from the sack last season but he will not have excuses in 2025-26, meaning his team will need to hit the ground running and stay consistent throughout the campaign.
