The dawn of a new era is officially underway for the Glamour Boys. Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has wasted absolutely no time laying down his expectations for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign, declaring that South Africa’s most supported club must immediately return to challenging for major silverware.
The 54-year-old French-born tactician made his comments directly after Amakhosi kicked off their highly anticipated pre-season tour in Alicante, Spain, with an impressive, albeit heartbreaking, 1-1 draw against Scottish giants Rangers.
Tour of Spain: High-Intensity Prep Underway
Chiefs were agonizingly close to securing a historic European scalp on Sunday after newly signed forward Etiosa Ighodaro fired the Soweto giants into a deserved lead. However, a lapse in concentration saw Rangers snatch a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute.
Despite the late heartbreak, Da Cruz views the elite opposition in Europe as the perfect crucible to prepare his squad for a grueling season that includes domestic Betway Premiership honors and a taxing continental run in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Amakhosi's Spanish Training Schedule:
⚽ vs Rangers (1-1 Draw)
vs Al Kholood (Saudi Pro League) — Wednesday, July 15
vs Elche (La Liga) — Saturday, July 18
Ending the Decade-Long Drought
Having returned to Naturena following a brief stint at the club in 2024, Da Cruz is hyper-aware of the massive weight on his shoulders. Amakhosi have remarkably not lifted a league title since the 2014/15 season, a statistic the new boss is determined to erase after the club slumped to a third-place finish last term.
“I know I am working for the biggest club in the country, one with a lot of fans all over Africa, not just South Africa,” Da Cruz stated. “I want us to start the season well to give our millions of fans a good feeling, because they deserve it… We will try our best to win silverware and we need our supporters to help us make that happen.”
🗓️ The Road Ahead: Crucial Dates for the Khosi Nation
Once the European tour wraps up, Kaizer Chiefs will quickly head back to local soil to finalize their intense preparations:
- 26 July 2026 (Toyota Cup): A final pre-season exhibition clash against Zimbabwean outfit Scottland FC in Rustenburg.
- 1 August 2026 (Betway Premiership Opener): The official league campaign kicks off with a tricky away trip to newly promoted top-flight newcomers Kruger United, followed by massive home blockbusters against Sekhukhune United and reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
