Kaizer Chiefs are battling a wave of injuries, and insiders are pointing fingers at an overly intense pre-season camp in Turkey as the main reason behind the ongoing crisis.
According to a reliable source within the club, several of the current injuries—especially among defenders—can be traced back to the team’s demanding fitness program before the Premier Soccer League season kicked off. The goal was to boost endurance for a long season ahead, but the plan may have backfired.
Overworked Before the Season Even Began
“The point of pre-season is to get the squad match-fit, not to break them down,” the source said. “Unfortunately, the sessions in Turkey pushed the players to their physical limits. Now, their bodies are struggling to cope with the demands of the weekly matches.”
Instead of gradually easing into the season, it appears the team may have peaked too early. The intense training load left little room for proper recovery, which could explain the muscle-related injuries that have piled up.
Defensive Unit Takes the Hardest Hit
The impact has been felt most severely at the back. Chiefs have lost six defenders to injury—Inacio Miguel, Given Msimango, Dillan Solomons, Ashwin Dortley, Bongani Sam, and Reeve Frosler, with Frosler reportedly out for the rest of the season.
“Muscle fatigue and tightness from those early training sessions have been the common theme in most of these injuries,” the source revealed.
But it’s not just the defenders who are suffering. Players across the squad are reportedly feeling the after-effects of the intense pre-season, raising concerns over overall load management.
Fewer Matches, More Injuries—What Went Wrong?
What makes the situation more puzzling is that Chiefs haven’t had a packed fixture list. They missed out on the MTN8 and didn’t qualify for continental competition, meaning their schedule was lighter than many of their league rivals.
This contradiction has brought the club’s training strategy into question. If the team is playing fewer games but suffering more injuries, it may be time for the technical staff to rethink their conditioning approach.
Time for a New Pre-Season Strategy
With the squad stretched thin and results affected, the pressure is mounting on Chiefs’ management to learn from this season’s mistakes. A new, more balanced pre-season plan is reportedly already under discussion.
“They’ve realised they pushed too hard, and steps are being taken to avoid that next time,” the source confirmed.
As Kaizer Chiefs limp toward the end of the campaign, one thing is clear: finding the right balance between fitness and injury prevention will be crucial heading into the next season.
