Kaizer Chiefs F.C.

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use South African English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Short description{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox football club with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| alt | American | body1 | body2 | body3 | capacity | caption | chairman | chrtitle | clubname | coach | coordinates | current | dissolved | founded | fullname | ground | image | image_size | kit_alt1 | kit_alt2 | kit_alt3 | league | leftarm1 | leftarm2 | leftarm3 | manager | mgrtitle | nickname | owner | owntitle | pattern_b1 | pattern_b2 | pattern_b3 | pattern_la1 | pattern_la2 | pattern_la3 | pattern_name1 | pattern_name2 | pattern_name3 | pattern_ra1 | pattern_ra2 | pattern_ra3 | pattern_sh1 | pattern_sh2 | pattern_sh3 | pattern_so1 | pattern_so2 | pattern_so3 | position | rightarm1 | rightarm2 | rightarm3 | season | short name | shorts1 | shorts2 | shorts3 | socks1 | socks2 | socks3 | stadium | title | upright | website }}{{#if:| }}{{#if:Chiefs| }} Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (often known as Chiefs) is a South African professional football club based in Naturena, Johannesburg South, that plays in the Premiership. The team is nicknamed AmaKhosi, which means "Kings" or "Chiefs" in Zulu, and the Phefeni Glamour Boys. Chiefs have won numerous league titles and cup trophies. The most recent domestic trophy was the 2024–25 Nedbank Cup. They hold the most trophies amongst all clubs in South Africa and are the most successful team in South African football history since the start of the top flight in 1970.

The team has a strong local rivalry, the Soweto derby, with Orlando Pirates, a fellow Soweto team that Chiefs founder Kaizer Motaung played for in his early playing career.<ref name="thepresidency.gov.za">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Famous players who donned the black-and-gold jersey in the past include former national team captains Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe as well as Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Gary Bailey, John "Shoes" Moshoeu, Shaun Bartlett, Steve Komphela, Siyabonga Nomvete, and Doctor Khumalo.

It is the most supported team in South Africa. Kaizer Chiefs had a support base of over 16 million at the turn of the century. They drew an average home attendance of 16,144 in the 2019–20 season, the highest in the league. The team plays many of its home matches at the 94,797-capacity FNB Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2025, Kaizer Chiefs celebrated their 55th anniversary.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

File:Iwiza Kaizer Chiefs June 1981.jpg

The Kaizer Chiefs in 1981

Kaizer Chiefs FC was founded in January 1970 shortly after the return of Kaizer "Chincha Guluva" Motaung from the United States where he played as a striker for the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He combined his own first name with the Atlanta Chiefs to create the name of Kaizer Chiefs. Several other people have played key roles in the formation and growth of Kaizer Chiefs, including the late Gilbert Sekgabi, Clarence Mlokoti, China Ngema, Ewert "The Lip" Nene, and Rabelani Jan Mofokeng, he trailed and quit because of work.<ref name="ClubHistory">Template:Cite news</ref>

Kaizer Chiefs are known as "Amakhosi" by its fans, a Zulu word meaning "kings" or "chiefs". Their headquarters is Kaizer Chiefs Village, in Naturena, six kilometres south of Johannesburg.<ref name="ClubHistory"/>

The 2001–02 season was one of the Club's most successful in their history as well as their most tragic. They won four major trophies in four months; the Vodacom Challenge, the BP Top Eight, the Coca-Cola Cup, and the African Cup Winners' Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the time the team was said to have been a team that was on "Operation vat alles" by its then public relations officer Putco Mafani, "vat alles" being an Afrikaans statement meaning "take everything" in English. However, the highs of cup wins was contrasted by the lows of the Ellis Park Stadium disaster on 11 April 2001, in which 43 fans were crushed to death during the Soweto Derby between Chiefs and their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

By winning the African Cup Winners' Cup, Chiefs played the 2001 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt in the 2002 CAF Super Cup. In April 2002, Kaizer Chiefs' achievements during 2001 were recognized as they were chosen as the "CAF Club of the Year" by the Confederation of African Football.<ref name="ClubHistory"/>

In the 2003–04 season Chiefs were given the Fair Play Award at the Peace Cup in South Korea. Chiefs ended the season as league champions, winning the Premiership for the first time in their history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the championship race of the 2004–05 soccer season, Chiefs overtook the season-long leaders (Orlando Pirates) in the last game of the season to defend its PSL championship. Under the leadership of Romanian coach Ted Dumitru, Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma had a record-breaking season scoring 39 goals in all competitions.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Kaizer Chiefs' forays into Africa were temporarily scuttled by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) ban.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, it still made its presence felt through the annual Vodacom Challenge that pit Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates with an invited European club. Chiefs have won the Vodacom Challenge Cup 5 times since its inception. They beat a young Manchester United side 4–3 on penalties in the 2006 Challenge to win the trophy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2007, coach Ernst Middendorp and the club parted company. The club instantly appointed their rival Orlando Pirates' former coach Kosta Papić for the remainder of the 2006–07 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Muhsin Ertuğral returned for the 2007–08 season to begin his second stint with Chiefs, having already coached The Glamour Boys from 1999 until 2003.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Under coach Ernst Middendorp in the 2019/20 season, Kaizer Chiefs topped the table from the seventh matchday of the season until infamously losing the title on the final day, which saw the club finishing two points behind winners Mamelodi Sundowns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 26 June 2021, the team secured their first CAF Champions League final appearance after defeating Wydad AC by a 1–0 aggregate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 9 July 2021, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed through Twitter that they signed six players for next season after their transfer ban ended.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 17 July 2021, they lost 3–0 against Al Ahly in the Champions League Final.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the 2023/24 season, Kaizer chiefs finished in 10th position under the interim coach Cavin Johnson, making this their lowest finish in the PSL era.

Stadium

Amakhosi Stadium

The Amakhosi have used no less than nine stadiums in Johannesburg as their home ground, and often rotated between several stadiums during the season. In August 2006, the club decided to develop their own stadium, the Amakhosi Stadium. However, this project has stalled.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

FNB Stadium/Soccer City

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File:FNB Stadium 2014-11-08.jpg

The completed Soccer City in 2014

FNB Stadium is a stadium located in Johannesburg, with a capacity of 94,736 seats. It is located next to the South African Football Association headquarters (SAFA House), where both the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is housed.<ref name="FIFA-Soccer_City">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Soweto Derby

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is a fiercely-contested rivalry dating back to 1970, and in contrast to most other games in the South African Premiership, always attracts a large fanbase.

Honours

Domestic

Top-flight league titles: 12<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Premiership Template:Small

• Champions (4): 2003–04, 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15
• Runners-up (5): 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2013–14, 2019–20

National Soccer League Template:Small

• Champions (3) - record: 1989, 1991, 1992

National Professional Soccer League Template:Small

• Champions (5) - record: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984

Cups: 42

Nedbank Cup (National Cup)

• Champions (14) - record: 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2012–13, 2024–25

Telkom Knockout (League Cup)

• Champions (13) - record: 1983,1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010

MTN 8 (Top 8 Tournament)

• Champions (15) - record: 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2014

International

CAF Champions League

• Runners-up: 2020–21

African Cup Winners' Cup

• Winners: 2001

CAF Super Cup

• Runners-up: 2002

Individual Awards

• African Club of the Year 2001

unofficial domestic cups

Vodacom Challenge

• Winners (5) - record: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009

Telkom Charity Cup

• Winners (11) - record: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2010

Carling Black Label Cup

• Winners(4): 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021
• Runners-up(5): 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019

Sales House Champ of Champs

• Winners:1974,1976,1977,1980,1981,1982,1984

Panasonic Cup

• Winners: 1986

Ohlsson's Challenge Cup

• Winners: 1987, 1989

Castle Challenge Cup

• Winners: 1990, 1991

Stylo Cup

• Winners: 1970

UCT Super Team Competition

• Winners: 1972

Shell Helix Ultra Cup

• Winners: 2019

CUFA Cup

• Winners: 2024

Home of Legends Cup

• Winners: 2024

Performance in CAF Competitions

Kaizer Chiefs qualified to play for the 1997 CAF Champions League but withdrew from the competition. The team made their first CAF Cup appearance in the year 2000 and only made it to the round of 16. They had the same result in the 2005 CAF Champions League and 2014 CAF Champions League. In the 2018 edition of the CAF Confederations Cup, Kaizer Chiefs reached the playoff round of 30 in which they were eliminated. Kaizer Chiefs are the runner-ups of the 2020-21 CAF Champions League and the 2002 CAF Super Cup after being crowned the Champions of the 2001 African Cup Winners' Cup.

Chiefs were banned by the African Football (CAF) from competing in African club competitions until 2009 after their abrupt withdrawal from the 2005 CAF Confederation Cup. This was the second time in four years that Chiefs had been penalized by CAF for refusal to participate in a competition.

Competition	Result	Year
CAF champions League	Round of 16	1993
	Round of 16	2005
	Round of 16	2014
	Round of 32	2016
	Runner-up	2020-21
CAF Super Cup	Runner-up	2002
African Cup Winners' Cup	Withdrew	1997
	Champions	2001
	Disqualified	2002
CAF Cup	Round of 16	2000
CAF Confederations Cup	Play-off Round	2014
	Play-off round	2018

Kaizer Chiefs' appearances in African competitions

• CAF Champions league = 5 appearance(s)
• CAF Confederations Cup = 2 appearance(s)
• CAF Super Cup = 1appearance(s)
• African Cup Winners' Cup = 3 appearance(s)
• CAF Cup = 1 appearance(s)

Club Ranking

Kaizer Chiefs are ranked 30th on the CAF 5-year ranking for the 2024-25 CAF club Season.

Rank	Club	2019–20	2020–21	2021–22	2022–23	2023–24	Total
28	Template:Flagicon Abu Salim	0	0	0	0	2	{{#expr: 0*1 + 0*2 + 0*3 + 0*4 + 2*5}}
28	Template:Flagicon Stade Malien	0	0	0	0	2	{{#expr: 0*1 + 0*2 + 0*3 + 0*4 + 2*5}}
30	Template:Flagicon Kaizer Chiefs	0	5	0	0	0	{{#expr: 0*1 + 5*2 + 0*3 + 0*4 + 0*5}}

Crest and colours

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor	Ref
1990-93	Kappa	IWISA	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1993-94		United Bank
1994-96		IWISA
1996-97	Reebok
1997-99		TOTAL
1999-01		Vodacom
2001-23	Nike
2023–present	Kappa

Club records

• Most appearances – Template:Flagicon Doctor Khumalo 497
• Most goals – Template:Flagicon Marks Maponyane 85
• Most capped player – Template:Flagicon Siphiwe Tshabalala 91
• Most appearances in a season – Template:Flagicon Neil Tovey 52 (1992)
• Most goals in a season (all competitions) – Template:Flagicon Collins Mbesuma – 35 2004/05
• Record win – 9-1 vs Manning Rangers (Coca-Cola Challenge – 23 March 1996)
• Record loss – 1-5 vs AmaZulu (League – 08/06/86), Orlando Pirates (League – 03/11/90), 1-5 Mamelodi Sundowns (League – 02/05/2024)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> - Nedbank Cup Winners for 2025.

PSL-era

season	pos	Record
		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	win%
1996–97	2nd	34	18	12	4	56	23	33	66	52.9 %
1997–98	2nd	34	17	12	5	52	35	17	63	50 %
1998–99	2nd	34	23	6	5	73	34	39	75	67.6 %
1999–2000	3rd	34	16	12	6	40	22	18	60	47 %
2000–01	2nd	34	16	12	6	41	25	16	60	47 %
2001–02	9th	34	12	13	9	38	33	5	49	35.29 %
2002–03	6th	30	14	8	8	42	26	16	50	46.7 %
2003–04	Winners¹	30	18	9	3	39	11	28	63	60 %
2004–05	Winners²	30	17	11	2	55	26	29	62	56.6 %
2005–06	3rd	30	12	14	4	39	26	13	50	40 %
2006–07	9th	30	11	9	10	42	32	10	42	36.7 %
2007–08	6th	30	10	13	7	32	20	12	43	33.3 %
2008–09	3rd	30	15	5	10	37	32	5	50	50 %
2009–10	3rd	30	14	9	7	39	25	14	51	46.7 %
2010–11	3rd	30	17	8	5	45	23	22	59	56.7 %
2011–12	5th	30	14	8	8	35	23	12	50	46.7 %
2012–13	Winners³	30	15	12	3	48	21	27	57	50 %
2013–14	2nd	30	19	6	5	43	17	26	63	63.3 %
2014–15	Winners⁴	30	21	6	3	41	14	27	69	70 %
2015–16	5th	30	11	13	6	39	28	11	50	36.6 %
2016–17	4th	30	13	11	6	39	28	11	50	43.3 %
2017–18	3rd	30	12	12	6	27	22	5	48	40 %
2018–19	9th	30	9	12	9	33	29	4	39	30 %
2019–20	2nd	30	17	6	7	48	27	21	57	56.6 %
2020-21	8th	30	8	12	10	34	37	-3	36	26.6 %
2021-22	5th	30	13	8	9	34	26	8	47	43.3 %
2022-23	5th	30	13	5	12	32	33	-1	44	43.3 %
2023-24	10th	30	9	9	12	25	30	-5	36	Template:Percent

Personnel

Club officials

Position	Staff
Executive Chairman	Template:Flagicon Kaizer Motaung
Marketing and Commercial Director	Template:Flagicon Jessica Motaung
Football Manager	Template:Flagicon Bobby Motaung
Corporate Communications Manager	Template:Flagicon Vina Maphosa

Senior team staff

Position	Staff
Sporting Director	Template:Flagicon Kaizer Motaung Jnr
Head Coach	Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon Nasreddine Nabi
Assistant Coach	Template:Flagicon Khalil Ben Youssef
Second Assistant Coach	Template:Flagicon Cedric Kaze
Goalkeeper Coach	Template:Flagicon Ilyes Mzoughi
Strength and Conditioning Coach	Template:Flagicon Safi Majdi
Team (Administrative) Manager	Template:Flagicon Gerald Sibeko

Players

Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Fs start Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs mid Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs end

Notable former players

For all Kaizer Chiefs players with a Wikipedia article see Template:Cl

Coaches

• Template:Flagicon Thomas Johnson (1971)
• Template:Flagicon Thomas Johnson and Template:Flagicon Kaizer Motaung (1972)
• Template:Flagicon Kaizer Motaung (1973–74)
• Template:Flagicon Eliakim Khumalo (1974)
• Template:Flagicon Eddie Lewis (1974–76)
• Template:Flagicon Eliakim Khumalo (1976)
• Template:Flagicon Thomas Johnson (1976)
• Template:Flagicon Eliakim Khumalo (1976)
• Template:Flagicon Eddie Lewis (1976)
• Template:Flagicon Kaizer Motaung (1977–78)
• Template:Flagicon Mario Tuani (1979–80)
• Template:Flagicon Eddie Lewis (1980)
• Template:Flagicon Chris Ngcobo (1981)
• Template:Flagicon Eliakim Khumalo (1981)
• Template:Flagicon Joseph Setlhodi (1982)
• Template:Flagicon Eddie Lewis (1983)
• Template:Flagicon Eliakim Khumalo and Template:Flagicon Jackie Masike (1983)
• Template:Flagicon Orlando Casares (1983)
• Template:Flagicon Joe Frickleton (1984–85)
• Template:Flagicon Shaka Ngcobo (1985)
• Template:Flagicon Eddie Lewis (1985)
• Template:Flagicon Ted Dumitru (1985–88)
• Template:Flagicon Jack Chamangwana (1988)
• Template:Flagicon Jeff Butler (1988–89)
• Template:Flagicon Jack Chamangwana (1989)
• Template:Flagicon Augusto Palacios (1990)
• Template:Flagicon Jeff Butler (1991)
• Template:Flagicon Nelson "Teenage" Dladla (1991)
• Template:Flagicon Wiseman Mbale (1992)
• Template:Flagicon Jeff Butler (1992)
• Template:Flagicon Sergio dos Santos (1993)
• Template:Flagicon N. "Teenage" Dladla and Template:Flagicon Ryder Mofokeng (1993)
• Template:Flagicon Geoff Hudson (1993)
• Template:Flagicon Philippe Troussier (1994)
• Template:Flagicon Trott Moloto (1994)
• Template:Flagicon Augusto Palacios (1995)
• Template:Flagicon Jeff Butler (1995–96)
• Template:Flagicon Walter da Silva (1996)
• Template:Flagicon Wellington Manyathi (1997)
• Template:Flagicon Paul Dolezar (1 July 1997 – 30 June 1999)
• Template:Flagicon Jacob Sephoa (1999)
• Template:Flagicon Muhsin Ertugral (14 July 1999–02)
• Template:Flagicon Doctor "16V" Khumalo and Template:Flagicon Ace Khuse (2002–03)
• Template:Flagicon Ted Dumitru (12 June 2003 – 30 June 2005)
• Template:Flagicon Ernst Middendorp (1 July 2005 – 5 March 2007)
• Template:Flagicon Kosta Papić (7 March 2007 – 4 June 2007)
• Template:Flagicon Muhsin Ertugral (1 July 2007 – 8 May 2009)
• Template:Flagicon Vladimir Vermezović (18 May 2009 – 12 April 2012)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Flagicon Ace Khuse (interim) (12 April 2012 – 30 June 2012)
• Template:Flagicon Stuart Baxter (1 July 2012 – June 2015)
• Template:Flagicon Steve Komphela (17 June 2015 – 21 April 2018)
• Template:Flagicon Giovanni Solinas (12 July 2018 -7 December 2018)
• Template:Flagicon Ernst Middendorp (7 December 2018 – 9 September 2020)
• Template:Flagicon Gavin Hunt (17 September 2020 – 28 May 2021)
• Template:Flagicon Stuart Baxter (7 June 2021 – 21 April 2022)
• Template:Flagicon Arthur Zwane (26 May 2022 – 28 June 2023)
• Template:Flagicon Molefi Ntseki (28 June 2023 – October 2023)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Flagicon Cavin Johnson (October 2023 – June 2024)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Flagicon Nasreddine Nabi (7 July 2024– current)

Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs, the British indie rock/britpop band, was named after the club because Lucas Radebe, a former player of Kaizer Chiefs, captained Leeds United, the team that the band members all supported.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Rugby

In 2012, Kaizer Chiefs registered a rugby sevens team to participate in the inaugural 7s Premier League.<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs get rugby team">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website
• PSL club info (archived)
• Kaizer Chiefs results on Flashscore