Kaizer Chiefs : The Glamour Boys of Soweto

Kaizer Chiefs, famously known as the Zulu chiefs is a South African football club formed in January 1970 by one of the famous names in the country's football, Kaizer Motaung. This was after having a mildly successful soccer playing career in the United States where he is fondly remembered for having donned the jersey of Atlanta Chiefs. The name, Kaizer Chiefs, was a combination of his first name with the name of his former team Atlanta Chiefs to form Kaizer Chiefs. With the club based in Soweto Johannesburg, it plays its home matches at the Soweto FNB Stadium, which is 94,000 capacity stadium and has a highly intense rivalry with Orlando Pirates, also based in Soweto Johannesburg. 

Intense Rivalry with Orlando Pirates

To some extent, it has always been noted that Kaizer Chiefs was a team formed by a breakaway faction from Orlando Pirates. This has not only elevated the level of rivalry between these two clubs based in the same area but has also ensured that the level of competition with one another is always mouth-watering. It is because of this rivalry that fans of Orlando Pirates have never fully agreed that Kaizer Chiefs is the most successful football club in South Africa. In the real sense, it cannot be denied that Kaizer Chiefs if the most successful club in the country in terms of trophies and fan following. It is the most supported club in the country, as well as in the neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. It is estimated that the club as a fan following slightly above 15 million, which is an amazing feat for any African football club. The high level of rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and their rivals Orlando Pirates has always been a fanfare in every other fixture with both sets of fans trying to outdo each other in every moment of the game. However, this rivalry was tragically witnessed when 43 fans died in 2001 in what is now known as the Ellis Park Stadium disaster.

Kaizer Chiefs' Achievements

In terms of league wins, Kaizer Chiefs have won the South African football league a record 12 times. This is topped by the club's success in cup competitions where they have won more than 40 cups in different competitions. Another achievement that Kaizer Chiefs is famously known for is the club's ability to produce some of the most respected names in the footballing fraternity. One of the club's African import, as well as export, is Collins Mbesuma, the Zambian striker who was a lethal player in front of the goal, which earned him a place in the English Premier League with Portsmouth football club. Another notable name from the club was Lucas Radebe, the South African football legend who went on to captain Leeds United in England and led to the formation of a famous band in Britain known as Kaiser Chiefs, the name of Radebe's former club.

Even though Kaizer Chiefs has not tasted much success at the international stage, especially in the African Champions League, it is a force to reckon within South Africa and is categorized as one of the elite football clubs not only in South Africa but also in Africa.