Kaizer Chiefs end pre-season in defeat as Eredivisie side FC Twente claim late win

Kaizer Chiefs ended their Netherlands pre-season assignments with a 2-1 defeat to FC Twente on Wednesday at Sportpark de Scheetheuvel Stadium.

Despite a number of good saves from their goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen, Chiefs conceded late in the first half and did not recover.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi almost conceded a third-minute goal, but Petersen pulled off a brilliant save to deny Bas Edo Kuipers by blocking a low shot with his left foot.

Petersen managed another save in the 23rd minute, and this time around, it was Michel Vlap who was denied. Vlap tried to catch the Chiefs' goalkeeper off guard by shooting through a crowded area, but the keeper was alert to clear the danger.

In the 25th minute, Arno Verschueren's strike was deflected, and the Dutch outfit won a corner which Petersen cleared.

The Glamour Boys goalkeeper looked to have suffered a knock, but he was good to continue after a minute of medical attention in the 26th minute.

Twente finally broke the deadlock when Daan Rots, after connecting to a cross from Taylor Booth, headed past Petersen for the opener.

Amakhosi equalised in the 69th minute when captain Ignacio Miguel scored. Although the defender saw his spot kick saved, he found the back of the net when he latched onto the rebound and slotted past Twente's keeper.

Twente regained their lead in the 85th minute when Sayfallah Ltaief scored with an assist from Mitchell van Bergen.

The Glamour Boys managed just a win in the five matches they played in the Netherlands. They first lost 2-1 to Vitesse, then went on to a 4-0 defeat to Utrecht and a 1-0 defeat to NEC Nijmegen before a 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle.

The pre-season was meant to help Nasreddine Nabi's charges sharpen before the 2025/26 season begins.

The Tunisian gave his new signings a chance to feature in the friendlies, and some, like Ethan Chislett, have shown moments of brilliance.

Amakhosi will face Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on July 26 in the Toyota Cup showdown.

Thereafter, they will focus on the Premier Soccer League 2025-26 campaign. After finishing ninth in the PSL last season, the Soweto giants will not be part of the MTN8 tournament set to kick off in early August.