Kaizer Chiefs aim to extend strong start against Polokwane City

Kaizer Chiefs are riding high after a positive start to the 2025/26 season, and they’ll be aiming to improve their record against Polokwane City when the two sides meet at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.30pm kick-off).

Amakhosi have worked tirelessly in the off-season to bounce back from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, which ended with a ninth-place finish — a season that never quite found momentum.

The Soweto giants had a number of new signings brought in, and their first real test came this past weekend against a formidable Stellenbosch FC side.

With head coach Nasreddine Nabi absent for that clash due to a family emergency back home in Tunisia, assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef led the team to a convincing 2–0 win — their fourth straight victory under the Nabi’s tenure in all competitions.

This season presents a new challenge for Chiefs, who are not only looking to improve their domestic form but will also need to manage the demands of continental football as they compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming clash against Rise and Shine, Kaze expressed confidence that the team is clear on its objectives and focused on building early-season momentum.

“We are heading into the second game of the season,” Kaze said.

“The schedule is a bit tighter than we would like. We know what we have been lacking from last season, which has been the consistency, but we are very focused and we know the importance of tomorrow’s (Wednesday) game.”

Amakhosi haven’t had it easy against the Limpopo-based side in recent meetings. Last season, they failed to beat City in both legs — recording a draw and a loss.

City were also the side that ultimately denied Chiefs a place in the top eight, holding them to a goalless draw on the final day of the season. That result left Amakhosi one point behind eighth-placed Richards Bay. Despite City losing several key players since then, Kaze remains cautious.

“It’s true that we struggled last season,” Kaze continued.

“It was not even the last game of the season that prevented us from qualifying for the top eight. Even in the first leg we lost against them.

“Mentally we are a new team and we are in a good space. We know what we are going to face on Wednesday. We will face a tough and physical team, they play on the low block and they are very good on set pieces.

“We know everything that we need to expect from them and we are prepared. We understand the importance of consistently having good performances to try and stay connected to the top of the table, and I can tell you that game will be different.”

The Glamour Boys have also had to make do without some key players in the early stages of the campaign, including Pule Mmodi. However, Kaze confirmed that the midfielder will be available for selection against City after serving his suspension.

One notable absentee from the matchday squad was new striker Flavio Silva, who is expected to play a key role this season following the team’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal last term.

“He is a player that trains very well. Kaze said on Silva.

“He scores goals at training. People think all the strikers need to be like Thierry Henry or (Robert) Lewandowski, he is a different profile, he is a player that you will find in the box when there is a cross, rebound or shot.

“He is a player that has tremendous presence in the box and we need players like that.”