Kaizer Chiefs were hosted by Dutch Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard on Thursday at her residence in Pretoria ahead of the squad's departure next week to the Netherlands for their pre-season camp.

Several Amakhosi officials were present, including Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. and Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung.

They were joined by five first-team players: Bruce Bvuma, Bradley Cross, Rushwin Dortley, Given Msimango and Brandon Petersen.

Besides the Dutch Ambassador, the Ambassadors of Germany and Austria as well as of the European Union were in attendance to wish the Glamour Boys a good pre-season camp in the Netherlands. Some South African government officials were present too.

Several of the Dutch Embassy's local support staff and fervent Amakhosi fans also joined the event, happily posing with their favourite players.

For goalkeeper Petersen the upcoming trip to the Netherlands will already be his fifth. The previous four times took place when he was still a youngster at Ajax Cape Town.

The most recent visit came in 2014 when Petersen was on trial with Ajax Amsterdam's first-team. Sadly, a serious knee injury disrupted the chance to get a contract. He was replaced by another young goalkeeper from Africa, André Onana. The rest is history.

"This reception hosted by the Dutch ambassador shows that sport is a unifier," comments Petersen. "We are really all looking forward towards our camp in the Netherlands. It will be a totally different experience."

Chiefs will arrive in the Netherlands on 4 July and depart on 19 July. The 2025 pre-season camp will include five friendly matches against competitive Dutch sides.

"We are really excited to have Kaizer Chiefs come to the Netherlands," enthuses Ambassador Doornewaard, before adding, "I also hope the squad will get the experience of riding on a bike, as the area surrounding Apeldoorn, where the team will be based, is so beautiful."

Kaizer Motaung Jr. expressed his appreciation for the privilege that the Dutch Ambassador hosted the team.

Meanwhile, he looks forward to the pre-season camp: "For sure, it will be hard work. However, it will be interesting to see how the players will get into the swing of things and how they measure up against the Dutch opponents, which are strong, including top side FC Utrecht."