Chiefs Denied Late in Spain

Kaizer Chiefs’ pursuit of a first pre-season victory under new French head coach Fernando da Cruz was thwarted late on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, as they drew 1-1 with Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood. The stalemate, played during their European training camp in Spain, followed an identical pattern to their opening 1-1 draw against Scottish giants Rangers on Sunday, 12 July 2026.

Amakhosi enjoyed a bright start and took the lead in the 15th minute when young forward Wandile Duba found the back of the net. Chiefs controlled portions of the match but were once again undone in the closing stages. An 82nd-minute penalty allowed the Saudi outfit to equalise, denying Da Cruz a maiden win on the tour.

Despite the disappointment of conceding another late goal, the technical team remains focused on long-term preparation before the Betway Premiership starts on 1 August. Da Cruz has emphasized that these high-profile matches are primarily about building physical resilience and squad cohesion. “We need to create the new ambition for the club,” Da Cruz previously noted. “We want to win with a good attitude and mentality.”

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