Chiefs Eye Redemption in Season Opener Against Stellenbosch

Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to make a strong start to the new campaign when they face Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium. After finishing ninth last season, the Soweto giants are targeting a turnaround under coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Chiefs dominated this fixture last season, winning all three meetings with the Winelands side. However, Stellenbosch will not be an easy opponent. Steve Barker’s men finished third in the 2024/25 season and were MTN8 finalists, showing consistency and resilience.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Ashley Du Preez expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and ambition. The 28-year-old forward believes the squad is ready to compete at the highest level from day one.

“For me personally, I couldn’t wait for the league to start, everyone to start on a clean pitch and write history,” Du Preez said. “As a club, I think we can start competing for the league with the first game.”

Chiefs’ pre-season in the Netherlands was a key part of their preparation. The team played several friendlies against top-tier opposition, gaining valuable experience and building cohesion.

“The way we played against the highest-level teams in the Netherlands, it was a good pre-season,” Du Preez noted. “We look good together. In camp, we have energy and the same mindset about what we want to achieve. We just need to take that pre-season into the league and compete every game at the highest level.”

Du Preez, who hails from Stellenbosch, is particularly motivated for the season opener. He says the squad’s unity and hunger will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware.

Kick-off is set for 17:30.