Kaizer Chiefs Shirt Sales Soar After Nedbank Cup Win—But Can They Keep Winning?
The mood around Kaizer Chiefs has lifted dramatically since their dramatic Nedbank Cup triumph, their first major silverware in over a decade. As a result, shirt sales have surged to record levels, underlining the renewed belief among the Amakhosi faithful.
According to Kappa sports director Ricky Joseph, the momentum from their cup success has translated into an unprecedented spike in demand for the new 2025/26 jersey.
“We’ve pre-sold more jerseys for this season than all previous seasons combined,” he confirmed at the kit launch earlier this week. “The Nedbank Cup win brought belief back to the fans, and it’s showing in the numbers.”
Kaizer Chiefs’ new kit will make its on-field debut this weekend when they face Ghanaian powerhouse Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Trophy Joy Masks Underlying Concerns
While Chiefs supporters are still revelling in the glory of beating Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, the bigger picture remains uncertain. Last season’s Betway Premiership campaign was disappointing, with Chiefs slumping to a ninth-place finish under new head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
The Tunisian tactician, who only took charge just before that infamous 4-0 thrashing by Young Africans in last year’s Toyota Cup, has had a full off-season to prepare this time. Chiefs have spent their pre-season in the Netherlands, working on tactics and building chemistry with their new arrivals. But many fans will be watching closely this Saturday to see if progress has been made.
Also read: Why Kaizer Chiefs Can’t Afford to Lose the Toyota Cup
Revenge on the Cards in the Toyota Cup
The upcoming clash with Kotoko offers Chiefs a chance to erase the memories of last year’s embarrassment and gain some much-needed momentum ahead of the new campaign. Kotoko, like Amakhosi, are riding a wave of cup success after lifting Ghana’s FA Cup and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.
With Chiefs missing out on MTN8 action next weekend, this fixture becomes their most competitive pre-season test. It also gives Nabi a golden opportunity to demonstrate that his side is finally settling into a consistent and more polished style of football, something sorely lacking last term.
Amakhosi will wear their newly unveiled home jersey for the first half against Kotoko and switch to the away kit for the second half, a visual treat for supporters eager to snap up the latest gear.
Fresh Faces and Big Expectations
Supporters in Durban will also get their first live look at Chiefs’ new signings and how they might be utilised when the league kicks off on 10 August away to Stellenbosch FC. With a revamped squad and rising fan expectations, the pressure is mounting for Chiefs to hit the ground running.
While there were whispers during the off-season about Nabi’s job security, those appear to have cooled for now. But if the Toyota Cup clash exposes cracks in the team’s structure again, those murmurs could grow louder before the season even begins.
From Merchandise to Momentum
The excitement around the new jersey sales speaks volumes about the renewed hope among Amakhosi fans. But as the saying goes, merchandise doesn’t win matches. Chiefs now need to prove that their Nedbank Cup run wasn’t a one-off. A strong showing against Kotoko could signal that the club is finally ready to match its brand power with results on the pitch.
Victory on Saturday won’t just be about silverware, it will be about laying down a marker for a season that many believe could finally see Kaizer Chiefs return to the summit of South African football.
Related article: Kaizer Chiefs Drop Stunning 2025/26 Kits Inspired by African Heritage
