Kaizer Chiefs F.C.

{{Short description|South African football club}} {{About|the South African football club|the British band named after the football club|Kaiser Chiefs}} {{Use South African English|date=November 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Kaizer Chiefs | image = Kaizer Chiefs logo.svg | image_size = 210px | short name = Chiefs | nickname = {{Plainlist| * ''AmaKhosi'' (Kings) * '' The Phefeni Boys '' * '' Abafana bokuthula noxolo'' (The Boys of Love & Peace) * '' The Glamour Boys '' }} | fullname = Kaizer Chiefs Football Club | founded = {{Start date and age|1970|01|07|df=y}} | ground = FNB Stadium | capacity = 94,797 | chairman = Kaizer Motaung | league = South African Premiership | season = 2025–26 | current = 2025–26 Kaizer Chiefs F.C. season | stadium = FNB Stadium | position = 3rd of 16 | manager = Vacant | website = {{URL|https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/}} | owner = Kaizer Motaung | chrtitle = Chairman }} '''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">{{Cite web |title=Kaizer Motaung {{!}} The Presidency |url=https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/national-orders/recipient/kaizer-motaung |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.thepresidency.gov.za |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119170449/https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/national-orders/recipient/kaizer-motaung |url-status=live }}</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, Dayson Balzani, Shaun Bartlett, Steve Komphela, Siyabonga Nomvete, Doctor Khumalo, and Siphiwe Tshabalala.

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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co1157/se32134/attendance/|title=worldfootball.net|website=worldfootball.net|language=en-GB|access-date=25 July 2021|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027083311/https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/rsa-premier-soccer-league-2019-2020/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2026, Kaizer Chiefs celebrated their 56th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footyheadlines.com/2020/07/twinned-by-design-nike-kaizer-chiefs-50.html|title=Kaizer Chiefs Reacts To 'Identical' Black / Gold Barcelona Kit|website=Footy Headlines|date=14 August 2020|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815145125/https://www.footyheadlines.com/2020/07/twinned-by-design-nike-kaizer-chiefs-50.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==

thumb|left|200px|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">{{cite news |author=Kaizer Chiefs |title=The birth of Kaizer Chiefs through the eyes of Kaizer Motaung |url=http://www.kaizerchiefs.com/kc_content.asp?contTitle=HISTORY&cid=2989 |publisher=kaizerchiefs.com |access-date=19 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928082243/http://www.kaizerchiefs.com/kc_content.asp?contTitle=HISTORY&cid=2989 |archive-date=28 September 2014 }}</ref> Club manager Bobby Motaung, son of Kaizer Chiefs founder Kaizer Motaung, has been a key figure in the administration, recruitment and strategic direction of the club since the 1990s.<ref name="auto">[https://www.sabcsport.com/news/bobby-motaung-foundation-to-launch-community-upliftment-projects Bobby Motaung's foundation to launch community upliftment], SABC Sport, 7 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025</ref><ref>[https://www.theirmagazine.com/bio/bobby-motaung-biography/ Biography of Bobby Motaung], Their Magazine, retrieved 12 July 2025</ref>

Kaizer Chiefs are known as ''"Amakhosi"'' by its fans, a Zulu word meaning "kings" or "chiefs". Their headquarters is ''Kaizer Chiefs Village'' 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>{{cite news |url=http://www.kaizerchiefs.com/kc_content.asp?contTitle=honours&cid=3015 |work=Kaizer Chiefs |access-date=19 July 2012 |title=Kaizer Chiefs: Honours |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718204827/http://www.kaizerchiefs.com/kc_content.asp?contTitle=honours&cid=3015 |archive-date=18 July 2012 }}</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>{{cite news |url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/ellis-park-soccer-stampede-kills-43 |work=sahistory.org.za |access-date=19 July 2012 |title=Ellis Park soccer stampede kills 43 |archive-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416022025/http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/ellis-park-soccer-stampede-kills-43 |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3760665.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2004 |access-date=13 March 2008 |title=Chiefs win SA league |archive-date=6 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606041056/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3760665.stm |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4583025.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2005|access-date=18 March 2008|title=Mbesuma tops in South Africa|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090350/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4583025.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kaizer Chiefs' forays into Africa were temporarily scuttled by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) ban.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2005-05-29-kaizer-chiefs-slapped-with-lengthy-ban |work=mg.co.za |date=29 May 2005 |access-date=19 July 2012 |title=Kaizer Chiefs slapped with lengthy ban |archive-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519165643/http://mg.co.za/article/2005-05-29-kaizer-chiefs-slapped-with-lengthy-ban |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news |url=http://www.vodacomchallenge.com/results.html |work=Vodacomchallenge.com |access-date=19 July 2012 |title=Vodacom Challenge results and line-ups |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722165340/http://www.vodacomchallenge.com/results.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 }}</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>{{Cite web |title=Papic takes over from Middendorp - Kaizer Chiefs FC |url=https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/news/papic-takes-over-from-middendorp/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.kaizerchiefs.com |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119161446/https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/news/papic-takes-over-from-middendorp/ |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news |url=http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=114678 |work=Sundayszaman.com |date=22 June 2007 |access-date=19 July 2012 |title=Ertuğral returns to Chiefs as coach }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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>{{Cite web |title=Ernst Middendorp Book Official Website |url=http://middendorpbook.com// |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=middendorpbook.com |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522105711/http://middendorpbook.com// |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/kaizer-chiefs-advance-to-first-ever-caf-champions-league-final-20210626 |first=Tashreeq |last=Vardien |work=News24 |date=26 June 2021 |access-date=28 June 2021 |title=Kaizer Chiefs advance to first-ever CAF Champions League final, will face Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627155106/https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/kaizer-chiefs-advance-to-first-ever-caf-champions-league-final-20210626 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 9 July 2021, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed through Twitter that they signed six players for next season after their transfer ban ended.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thekosibay.co.za/974/sport/football/psl/kaizer-chiefs-confirm-10-new-players-for-next-season/ |first=Amanda |last=Msane |work=The Kosi Bay |date=10 July 2021 |access-date=10 July 2021 |title=PSLKaizer Chiefs confirm 6 new players for next season |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710073501/https://thekosibay.co.za/974/sport/football/psl/kaizer-chiefs-confirm-10-new-players-for-next-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 17 July 2021, they lost 3–0 against Al Ahly in the Champions League Final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/57833344 |title=Egypt's Al Ahly beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 to win record tenth African crown |website=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718100713/https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/57833344 |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/chiefs-and-the-bucs-great-stadium-heist-1.837702|title=Chiefs and the Bucs great stadium heist|author=Independent Online|date=18 November 2010|access-date=23 June 2011|archive-date=21 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121040101/http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/chiefs-and-the-bucs-great-stadium-heist-1.837702|url-status=live}}</ref>

===FNB Stadium/Soccer City=== {{main|FNB Stadium}}

thumb|600px|center|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">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/stadiums/stadium=5007759/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617120423/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/stadiums/stadium=5007759/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2007 |title=Soccer City |access-date=30 June 2008 |publisher=FIFA }}</ref>

==The Soweto Derby== {{main|Soweto Derby}} 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>{{cite web | url=https://www.kaizerchiefs.com/trophy-room | title=Trophy Room - Kaizer Chiefs FC | access-date=13 May 2023 | archive-date=1 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701135730/https://kaizerchiefs.com/trophy-room | url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Premiership''' {{small|(from 1996–97 to date)}} *'''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''' {{small|(1985 to 1995)}} *'''Champions (3) - record:''' 1989, 1991, 1992

'''National Professional Soccer League''' {{small|(1971 to 1984)}} *'''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

'''League Cup''' (Datsun Challenge, JPS Knockout Cup, Rothmans Cup, Coca-Cola Cup, Telkom Knockout) *'''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.

{| class="wikitable" |+ !Competition !Result !Year |- | rowspan="5" |'''CAF champions League''' |Round of 16 |1993 |- |Round of 16 |2005 |- |Round of 16 |2014 |- |Round of 32 |2016 |- style="background:silver" |Runner-up |2020-21 |- style="background:silver" |'''CAF Super Cup''' |Runner-up |2002 |- | rowspan="3" |'''African Cup Winners' Cup''' |Withdrew |1997 |- style="background:gold" |'''Champions''' |2001 |- |Disqualified |2002 |- |'''CAF Cup''' |Round of 16 |2000 |- | rowspan="2" |'''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 = '''1'''appearance(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. {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;" !Rank ! width="200" |Club !2019–20 {{small|(× 1)}} !2020–21 {{small|(× 2)}} !2021–22 {{small|(× 3)}} !2022–23 {{small|(× 4)}} !2023–24 {{small|(× 5)}} !Total |- |28 | align="left" |{{flagicon|LBY}} Abu Salim |0 |0 |0 |0 |2 |'''{{#expr: 0*1 + 0*2 + 0*3 + 0*4 + 2*5}}''' |- |28 | align="left" |{{flagicon|MLI}} Stade Malien |0 |0 |0 |0 |2 |'''{{#expr: 0*1 + 0*2 + 0*3 + 0*4 + 2*5}}''' |- |30 | align="left" |{{flagicon|RSA}} 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 === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Period !Kit manufacturer !Shirt sponsor !Ref |- |1990-93 | rowspan="3" |Kappa |IWISA | rowspan="8" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaizer Chiefs Kit History |url=https://www.footballkitarchive.com/kaizer-chiefs-kits/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=Football Kit Archive |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312220931/https://www.footballkitarchive.com/kaizer-chiefs-kits/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |1993-94 |United Bank |- |1994-96 | rowspan="2" |IWISA |- |1996-97 | rowspan="3" |Reebok |- |1997-99 |TOTAL |- |1999-01 | rowspan="3" |Vodacom |- |2001-23 |Nike |- |2023–present |Kappa |}

==Club records== *Most appearances&nbsp;– {{flagicon|South Africa}} Doctor Khumalo 497 *Most appearances in a season&nbsp;– {{flagicon|South Africa}} Neil Tovey 52 (1992) *Most goals in a season (all competitions)&nbsp;– {{flagicon|Zambia}} Collins Mbesuma&nbsp;– 35 2004/05 *Record win&nbsp;– 9-1 vs Manning Rangers (Coca-Cola Challenge&nbsp;– 23 March 1996) *Record loss&nbsp;– 1-5 vs AmaZulu (League&nbsp;– 08/06/86), Orlando Pirates (League&nbsp;– 03/11/90), Mamelodi Sundowns (League&nbsp;– 02/05/2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Modiba |first=Katlego |date=2024-05-02 |title=Three things we learnt from Sundowns' 5-1 victory over Chiefs |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/three-things-we-learnt-from-sundowns-5-1-victory-over-chiefs/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref>

===PSL-era=== {| class="wikitable" !rowspan="2"|season !rowspan="2"|pos !colspan="9"|Record |- !P !! W !! D !! L !! GF !! GA !! GD !! PTS !! win% |- |-style="background:lightblue" |'''1996–97'''||'''2nd''' |34 |18 |12 |4 |56 |23 |33 |'''66''' |52.9 %

|- |-style="background:lightblue" |'''1997–98'''||'''2nd''' |34 |17 |12 |5 |52 |35 |17 |'''63''' |50 %

|- |-style="background:lightblue" |'''1998–99'''||'''2nd''' | 34 | 23 | 6 | 5 | 73 | 34 | 39 | '''75''' |67.6 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''1999–2000'''||'''3rd''' |34 |16 |12 |6 |40 |22 |18 |'''60''' |47 %

|- |-style="background: lightblue" |'''2000–01'''||'''2nd''' |34 |16 |12 |6 |41 |25 |16 |'''60''' |47 %

|- |-style="background:Red" |'''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 %

|- |-style="background:Gold" |'''2003–04'''||'''Winners¹''' |30 |18 |9 |3 |39 |11 |28 |'''63''' |60 %

|- |-style="background:gold" |'''2004–05'''||'''Winners²''' |30 |17 |11 |2 |55 |26 |29 |'''62''' |56.6 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''2005–06'''||'''3rd''' |30 |12 |14 |4 |39 |26 |13 |'''50''' |40 %

|- |-style="background:red" |'''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 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''2008–09'''||'''3rd''' |30 |15 |5 |10 |37 |32 |5 |'''50''' |50 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''2009–10'''||'''3rd''' |30 |14 |9 |7 |39 |25 |14 |'''51''' |46.7 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''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 %

|- |-style="background:gold" |'''2012–13'''||'''Winners³''' |30 |15 |12 |3 |48 |21 |27 |'''57''' |50 %

|- |-style="background:lightblue" |'''2013–14'''||'''2nd''' |30 |19 |6 |5 |43 |17 |26 |'''63''' |63.3 %

|- |-style="background:gold" |'''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 %

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''2017–18'''||'''3rd''' |30 |12 |12 |6 |27 |22 |5 |'''48''' |40 %

|- |-style="background:red" |'''2018–19'''||'''9th''' |30 |9 |12 |9 |33 |29 |4 |'''39''' |30 %

|- |-style="background:lightblue" |'''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 % |- |-style="background:red" |'''2023-24''' |'''10th''' |30 |9 |9 |12 |25 |30 | -5 |'''36''' |{{Percent|30}}

|- |-style="background:red" |'''2024-25''' |'''9th''' |28 |8 |8 |12 |27 |32 | -5 |'''32''' |{{Percent|28.57}}

|- |-style="background:lightgreen" |'''2025-26''' |'''3rd''' |30 |15 |9 |6 |33 |19 | 14 |'''54''' |{{Percent|50.00}} |}

==Personnel== ===Club officials=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Staff |- | Executive Chairman || {{flagicon|South Africa}} Kaizer Motaung |- | Marketing and Commercial Director || {{flagicon|South Africa}} Jessica Motaung |- | Football Manager || {{flagicon|South Africa}} Bobby Motaung |- | Sporting Director || {{flagicon|South Africa}} Kaizer Motaung Jr. |}

==Players== {{unreferenced section|date=February 2026}} {{updated|6 September 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/south-africa/kaizer-chiefs/3528/squad/|title=South Africa - Kaizer Chiefs FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway|website=uk.soccerway.com|access-date=24 October 2020|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412221104/https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/south-africa/kaizer-chiefs/3528/squad/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=February 2026}} {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|pos=GK|nat=RSA|name=Brandon Peterson|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no=2|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Thabiso Monyane}} {{Fs player|no=3|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Khanyisa Mayo}} {{Fs player|no=4|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Zitha Kwinika}} {{Fs player|no=5|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Sibongiseni Mthethwa}} {{Fs player|no=6|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Lebohang Maboe}} {{Fs player|no=7|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Mduduzi Shabalala}} {{Fs player|no=8|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Siphesihle Ndlovu}} {{Fs player|no=9|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Ashley Du Preez}} {{Fs player|no=10|pos=FW|nat=URU|name=Gastón Sirino}} {{Fs player|no=11 |pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Luke Baartman}} {{Fs player|no=12|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Nkosingiphile Ngcobo}} {{Fs player|no=13|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Pule Mmodi}} {{Fs player|no=14|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Rushwin Dortley}} {{Fs player|no=17|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Asanele Velebayi}} {{Fs player|no=18|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Dillan Solomons}} {{Fs player|no=19|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Happy Mashiane}} {{Fs player|no=21|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Thabo Cele}} {{Fs player|no=22|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=George Matlou}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=23|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Ethan Chislett}} {{Fs player|no=25|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Given Msimango}} {{Fs player|no=28|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Mfundo Vilakazi}} {{Fs player|no=29|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Paseka Mako}} {{Fs player|no=31|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Naledi Hlongwane}} {{Fs player|no=34|pos=GK|nat=RSA|name=Karabo Molefe}} {{Fs player|no=35|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Aden McCarthy}} {{Fs player|no=37|pos=MF|nat=RSA|name=Samkelo Zwane}} {{Fs player|no=39|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Reeve Frosler}} {{Fs player|no=40|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Tashreeq Morris}} {{Fs player|no=44|pos=GK|nat=RSA|name=Bruce Bvuma}} {{Fs player|no=47|pos=FW|nat=RSA|name=Wandile Duba}} {{Fs player|no=48|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Bradley Cross}} {{Fs player|no=50|pos=FW|nat=NGA|name=Etiosa Ighodaro}} {{Fs player|no=71|pos=GK|nat=RWA|name=Fiacre Ntwari}} {{Fs player|no=74|pos=DF|nat=RSA|name=Nkanyiso Shinga}} {{Fs player|no=77|pos=FW|nat=GNB|name=Flávio Silva}} {{Fs player|no=84|pos=DF|nat=ANG|name=Inácio Miguel}} {{Fs player|no=99|pos=FW|nat=DRC|name=Makabi Lilepo}} {{Fs end}}

==Notable former players== ''For all Kaizer Chiefs players with a Wikipedia article see {{cl|Kaizer Chiefs F.C. players}}''

==Coaches== {{div col|colwidth=28em|small=yes}} *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Thomas Johnson (1971) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Thomas Johnson and {{flagicon|South Africa}} Kaizer Motaung (1972) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Kaizer Motaung (1973–74) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Eliakim Khumalo (1974) *{{flagicon|England}} Eddie Lewis (1974–76) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Eliakim Khumalo (1976) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Thomas Johnson (1976) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Eliakim Khumalo (1976) *{{flagicon|England}} Eddie Lewis (1976) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Kaizer Motaung (1977–78) *{{flagicon|Chile}} Mario Tuani (1979–80) *{{flagicon|England}} Eddie Lewis (1980) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Chris Ngcobo (1981) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Eliakim Khumalo (1981) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Joseph Setlhodi (1982) *{{flagicon|England}} Eddie Lewis (1983) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Eliakim Khumalo and {{flagicon|South Africa}} Jackie Masike (1983) *{{flagicon|Argentina}} Orlando Casares (1983) *{{flagicon|Scotland}} Joe Frickleton (1984–85) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Shaka Ngcobo (1985) *{{flagicon|England}} Eddie Lewis (1985) *{{flagicon|Romania}} Ted Dumitru (1985–88) *{{flagicon|Malawi}} Jack Chamangwana (1988) *{{flagicon|England}} Jeff Butler (1988–89) *{{flagicon|Malawi}} Jack Chamangwana (1989) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Augusto Palacios (1990) *{{flagicon|England}} Jeff Butler (1991) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Nelson ''"Teenage"'' Dladla (1991) *{{flagicon|Zambia}} Wiseman Mbale (1992) *{{flagicon|England}} Jeff Butler (1992) *{{flagicon|Portugal}} Sergio dos Santos (1993) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} N. ''"Teenage"'' Dladla and {{flagicon|South Africa}} Ryder Mofokeng (1993) *{{flagicon|England}} Geoff Hudson (1993) *{{flagicon|France}} Philippe Troussier (1994) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Trott Moloto (1994) *{{flagicon|Peru}} Augusto Palacios (1995) *{{flagicon|England}} Jeff Butler (1995–96) *{{flagicon|Brazil}} Walter da Silva (1996) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Wellington Manyathi (1997) *{{flagicon|France}} Paul Dolezar (1 July 1997&nbsp;– 30 June 1999) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Jacob Sephoa (1999) *{{flagicon|Turkey}} Muhsin Ertugral (14 July 1999–02) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Doctor ''"16V"'' Khumalo and {{flagicon|South Africa}} Ace Khuse (2002–03) *{{flagicon|Romania}} Ted Dumitru (12 June 2003&nbsp;– 30 June 2005) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Ernst Middendorp (1 July 2005&nbsp;– 5 March 2007) *{{flagicon|Serbia}} Kosta Papić (7 March 2007&nbsp;– 4 June 2007) *{{flagicon|Turkey}} Muhsin Ertugral (1 July 2007&nbsp;– 8 May 2009) *{{flagicon|Serbia}} Vladimir Vermezović (18 May 2009&nbsp;– 12 April 2012)<ref>{{cite web|last=Gleeson|first=Mark|title=48 coaches in 41 years for Amakhosi|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/04/13/48-coaches-in-41-years-for-amakhosi|publisher=Sowtan|access-date=22 September 2012|date=April 2012|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616144705/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/04/13/48-coaches-in-41-years-for-amakhosi|url-status=live}}</ref> *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Ace Khuse ''(interim)'' (12 April 2012&nbsp;– 30 June 2012) *{{flagicon|Scotland}} Stuart Baxter (1 July 2012&nbsp;– June 2015) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Steve Komphela (17 June 2015&nbsp;– 21 April 2018) *{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni Solinas (12 July 2018&nbsp;-7 December 2018) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Ernst Middendorp (7 December 2018 – 9 September 2020) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Gavin Hunt (17 September 2020 – 28 May 2021) *{{flagicon|Scotland}} Stuart Baxter (7 June 2021 – 21 April 2022) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Arthur Zwane (26 May 2022 – 28 June 2023) *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Molefi Ntseki (28 June 2023 – October 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Compiled by Lynn |title=Kaizer Chiefs part ways with Ntseki after turbulent start to the season |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/kaizer-chiefs-part-ways-with-ntseki-after-turbulent-start-20231023 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Sport |language=en-US |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026185533/https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/kaizer-chiefs-part-ways-with-ntseki-after-turbulent-start-20231023 |url-status=live }}</ref> *{{flagicon|South Africa}} Cavin Johnson (October 2023 – June 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnson thanks Kaizer Motaung while preparing for test against Golden Arrows |url=https://sportsbrief.com/football/51572-cavin-johnson-interim-kaizer-chiefs-coach-speaks-honour-leading-amakhosi/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=sportsbrief.com |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026185533/https://sportsbrief.com/football/51572-cavin-johnson-interim-kaizer-chiefs-coach-speaks-honour-leading-amakhosi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> *{{flagicon|Tunisia}} Nasreddine Nabi (7 July 2024– 10 October 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabothe |first=Tshepo |date=October 10, 2025 |title=Official: Chiefs and Nabi part ways |url=https://farpost.co.za/2025/10/10/official-chiefs-and-nabi-part-ways/ |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=FARPost |language=en-ZA}}</ref> {{div col end}}

==Kaiser Chiefs== British indie-rock band Kaiser Chiefs named themselves after the club. The band, from Leeds, reportedly chose the name—slightly altering the spelling—as a nod to South African centre-back Lucas Radebe, a beloved captain at Leeds United who played for the club for 11 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-kaiser-chiefs|work=Music OMH|date=April 2005|access-date=19 July 2012|title=Interview: Kaiser Chiefs|archive-date=21 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921145355/http://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-kaiser-chiefs|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sevens/Kaizer-Chiefs-get-rugby-team-20121028 | title=Kaizer Chiefs get rugby team | publisher=Sport24 | date=29 October 2012 | access-date=29 October 2012 | archive-date=26 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126115401/http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sevens/Kaizer-Chiefs-get-rugby-team-20121028 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.kaizerchiefs.com}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080905123800/http://www.psl.co.za/team.asp?team=chiefs PSL club info] (archived) *[https://www.flashscore.co.za/team/kaizer-chiefs/fFZ2CGx0/results/ Kaizer Chiefs results] on Flashscore

{{Kaizer Chiefs F.C.}} {{Kaizer Chiefs Squad}} {{Premier Soccer League teamlist}} {{CAF Cup Winners' Cup winners}} {{Greater Johannesburg|sports}} {{Authority control}}

{{Fs end}}

Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. Category:Association football clubs established in 1970 Category:Soweto Category:Premier Soccer League clubs Category:Soccer clubs in Johannesburg Category:1970 establishments in South Africa Category:African Cup Winners Cup winning clubs