Kaizer Chiefs held a cultural team-building event at their Naturena Village during the FIFA international break. The private Heritage Month gathering saw players, coaches and staff celebrate South African diversity through traditional attire, music and food.
Attendees wore outfits representing cultures including Siswati, Sepedi, Sesotho, IsiZulu and Tshivenda. No one was assigned a specific culture to represent, with the club preferring to keep the proceedings internal. Footage and images from the event only surfaced later through fan pages on social media. Head coach Fernando da Cruz took part in the activities.
Players use break for rest
Several squad members used the pause for personal time. Defender Inácio Miguel and striker Flavio Silva each took island holidays with their families. Midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo celebrated his Umembeso, a traditional Zulu ceremony, in KwaZulu-Natal, with support from teammates.
Focus turns to continental qualifier
The event was designed to build unity ahead of a demanding schedule. Kaizer Chiefs remain unbeaten in the Betway Premiership, sitting fourth with 13 points from seven games. Their only notable setback this term was a first-round exit in the MTN8. The squad's immediate focus is a two-legged CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against African Arrows, part of a bid to reach the competition's group stage.
Coach Fernando da Cruz said he hopes "the spirit of togetherness persists within the club until the end of the season." The team's recent form shows three wins and four draws from their opening league fixtures, with 12 goals scored and seven conceded.
Club football resumes shortly, with Kaizer Chiefs next facing Stellenbosch at home on 17 October. Stellenbosch currently sit seventh in the table. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. The Amakhosi will begin their continental campaign against African Arrows in the coming weeks.
First reported at Briefly News
