Kaizer Chiefs Football Club on Tuesday marked 56 years since its establishment, having been founded on 7 January 1970.
The club was formed by Dr Kaizer Motaung, who was 25 years old at the time, together with players from Kaizer XI, a team established in 1969.
Motaung returned to South Africa from the United States, where he had been playing professional football, with the aim of creating a professional football structure that would provide opportunities for local talent.
Recognisable brand in SA and Africa
Despite the social and economic challenges of the era, Kaizer Chiefs was established with the support of families, communities and early supporters.
Over the decades, the club has grown into one of the most recognisable football brands in South Africa and across the African continent.
From its early years, Kaizer Chiefs became a prominent force in domestic football, winning numerous trophies and producing several high-profile players who have contributed to the development of the game locally and internationally.
The club’s support base expanded significantly over time, making it one of the most widely supported teams in the country.
Ended trophy drought
In 2025, Kaizer Chiefs added to its honours by winning the Nedbank Cup and the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), ending a period without major silverware and highlighting renewed competitiveness at senior and youth levels.
As the club enters 2026, it remains a central figure in South African football, with its history closely linked to the growth and professionalisation of the sport in the country.
Latest Betway Premiership standings
Ahead of the resumption of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in fourth place in the standings, four points behind log leaders Orlando Pirates – and having played one more match.
The Glamour Boys are looking for their first league title since the 2014/15 season.
