Kaizer Chiefs begin the new South African Premiership season under head coach Fernando da Cruz when they visit Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, August 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CAT and the match will be shown on SuperSport.
Chiefs started last season well under Nasreddine Nabi, but his shock exit in mid-September after the first league defeat to Sekhukhune United preceded a downturn. Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze took charge for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign and Chiefs ultimately finished third, behind Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, marking the club’s first top-three finish in six years.
The club has appointed Da Cruz, the recently departed Moroccan federation technical director, and added Frenchman Julien le Heran to lead sports science and conditioning after a spell beset by injuries to players including Rushwin Dortley, Etiosa Ighodaro and Mduduzi Shabalala. Chiefs scored 33 goals in 30 league games last season and conceded 19, the second-best defensive record in the Premiership behind Orlando Pirates, who allowed 12.
Team news includes the integration of new signings Thabo Moloisane, Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko and Renaldo Leaner. Etiosa Ighodaro, who missed most of last season through injury, could play an important role up front. Da Cruz has deemed midfielder Thabo Cele surplus to requirements and the club has indicated it is open to offers for winger Makabi Glody Lilepo.
Kruger United won promotion to the Premiership at the end of last season but have faced off-field reports of late player payments. The club has acknowledged some salary delays while disputing reports on the scale of the problem, according to Kick Off. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was recently loaned from Chiefs to Kruger United and may be eligible to face his parent club depending on the loan agreement and South African rules.
Expected lineups: Kruger United 4-2-3-1 Sanele Tshabalala; Ebrahim Seedat, Kwanda Mngonyama, Katlego Mohamme, Kabelo Seriba; Motsie Matima, Tercious Malepe; Mlungisi Zwane, Lindokuhle Mtshali, Kagiso Malinga; Thabang Sibanyoni. Kaizer Chiefs 4-2-3-1 Brandon Petersen; Bradley Cross, Inácio Miguel, Thabo Moloisane, Thabiso Monyane; Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko, Sibongiseni Mthethwa; Mfundo Vilakazi, Ethan Chislett, Asanele Velebayi; Etiosa Ighodaro.
