Kaizer Chiefs
South African soccer fans can almost be placed into three distinct camps. You are either a Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates fan.
Kaizer Chiefs is one of the most recognisable football clubs in South Africa. The FC known throughout the world. In fact, the club is so well known that a band from the UK chose Kaizer Chiefs as their name. The club hails from Johannesburg. The are also referred to as Amakhosi, which means “Chiefs” in Zulu, as well as the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
The founding of the club
Founder Kaizer Motaung established Kaizer Chiefs in 1970. Motaung was a professional soccer player who played for the Atlanta Chiefs during the 1960s. After returning to South Africa, he created Amakhosi and began building what would become one of the biggest football clubs in the country.
Since then, the Chiefs have grown into one of South Africa’s most successful and supported football clubs, with millions of passionate fans behind them. The club regularly attracts crowds capable of filling FNB Stadium, where the team plays many of its home matches.
Chiefs have also built an impressive trophy cabinet over the years. The club has won 12 Premiership, 14 Nedbank Cup titles and 13 Carling Knockout titles, while they have also won the MTN8 a record 15 times. Internationally, Amakhosi lifted silverware in the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 2001.
More recently, Chiefs ended a long wait for major silverware when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final. That victory gave Amakhosi their 14th Nedbank Cup title.
Past and present players
Kaizer Chiefs have a proud history. Many of South Africa’s best known football stars having worn the famous black and gold jersey. Legends such as Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Doctor Khumalo and Siphiwe Tshabalala has all worn the iconic black and gold jersey.
This comes as no surprise because the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy has been developing upcoming talent into professional players. The academy is situated at the KC Village in Naturena, just outside Johannesburg.
The Youth Development Academy consists of five groups covering different age categories. These range from the Under-13s and Under-15s to the Under-17s and Under-19s. There is also a senior reserve team.
Furthermore, the academy focuses on developing the individual skills of young players. They provide training of between three and five days a week.
Head Coach
Fernando Da Cruz has taken over as head coach with the task of helping to “bring back the glory days” for the Glamour Boys. The Frenchman joined Chiefs for the 2026/27 season after previously working as technical director for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Da Cruz took charge of his first official match for the club at the start of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season. He could not have asked for a better start, as Chiefs defeated newly promoted Kruger United 3-1 in their opening match.
The 2026 Kaizer Chiefs squad
The players who make up the squad are impressive, with several players also representing Bafana Bafana. The Kaizer Chiefs squad for the 2026/27 season includes:
Goalkeepers: Brandon Petersen, Bruce Bvuma, Renaldo Takalani, Mazhamba, Fiacre Ntwari, Bontle Karabo and Siphosethu Molefe.
Defenders: Bradley Cross (Bafana Bafana), Thabiso Monyane (Bafana Bafana), Thabo Moloisane, Rushwin Dortley, Inácio Miguel, Reeve Frosler, Paseka Mako, Zitha Macheke, Nkanyiso Shinga and Kabelo Nkgwesa.
Midfielders: Lebohang Maboe, Thabo Cele, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Ethan Chislett, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Dillan Solomons, Samkelo Zwane, Thulani Mabaso, Faiz Abrahams, Pheko Phago and Adolf Mtasingwa.
Forwards and attackers: Mduduzi Shabalala (Bafana Bafana), Khanyisa Mayo, Pule Mmodi, Asanele Velebayi, Flávio Silva, Etiosa Godspower Ighodaro, Wandile Duba, Donay Jansen and Naledi Hlongwane.
The Soweto Derby
You cannot talk about Kaizer Chiefs without mentioning their fierce rivalry with Orlando Pirates. The Soweto Derby is arguably the biggest local football match on the South African soccer calendar.
The rivalry between the two clubs can be traced back to before Chiefs even existed. It stems from the period when Kaizer Motaung returned to Mzansi after his professional stint playing in America. Motaung attempted to resolve disputes within the Orlando Pirates organisation. However, the attempt was unsuccessful, and this ultimately helped drive him to create his own club.
His new club also attracted several players who had connections to Orlando Pirates, and consequently, one of the biggest rivalries in African football was born.
Both of the next two Soweto Derby matches will take place at FNB Stadium. Pirates will host the first leg on 31 October 2026, while Chiefs will host the return fixture on 13 March 2027.
As a result, the Soweto Derby will once again be one of the biggest fixtures to watch when considering Kaizer Chiefs betting.
Kaizer Chiefs Upcoming Matches
Amakhosi are currently competing in the Betway Premiership and the MTN8, while their continental campaign also adds another challenge to the season.
The Kaizer Chiefs fixtures coming up include:
- Siwelele FC – Dobsonville Stadium – Sunday, 6 September 2026
- Polokwane City FC – Peter Mokaba Stadium – 12 September 2026
- Lamontville Golden Arrows – Princess Magogo Stadium – 19 September 2026
- Stellenbosch FC – FNB Stadium – 17 October 2026
- Orlando Pirates (Soweto Derby) – FNB Stadium – 31 October 2026
- AmaZulu FC – FNB Stadium – Wednesday, 4 November 2026
- Chippa United – Nelson Mandela Bay – 28 November 2026
The PSL has confirmed the two Soweto Derby dates for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, with Pirates hosting on 31 October and Chiefs hosting on 13 March 2027.
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Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season
The early Kaizer Chiefs results give fans plenty of reason for optimism heading into the new season. However, Amakhosi still have plenty of work to do if they want to challenge for the Betway Premiership title.
Chiefs opened their Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win over Kruger United, followed by a 2-0 win against Sekhukhune. The drew one all against Sundowns and drew their fourth match against Richards Bay FC. After four matches, Chiefs sit third on eight points. Trailing Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who both have 10 points.
Therefore, while Chiefs have made a positive start, they cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal. The competition at the top of the Betway Premiership remains fierce, and every point will count as the season progresses.
From a betting perspective, an Outright Winner (future bet) can be an interesting market for fans looking to back Chiefs across the competitions they are involved in. However, as always, it is important to compare the available odds and understand the risks before placing a bet.
Chiefs are also looking to make an impact on the continental stage. With a new coach, a talented squad and millions of supporters behind them, Amakhosi will hope that the 2026/27 season can mark the beginning of another successful chapter.
Can the Glamour Boys bring more silverware back to Naturena? Only time will tell.
Go Amakhosi!