Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs were founded in 1970 shortly after the return of Kaizer "Chincha Guluva" Motaung from the USA where he played as a striker for the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League (NASL) . Several other people have played key roles in the formation and growth of the Chiefs, including the late Gilbert Sekgabi, Clarence Mlokoti, China Ngema, and Ewert "The Lip" Nene. [ citation needed ] Kaizer Chiefs—known as Amakhosi by its fans—was one of the first local clubs to turn fully professional. [ citation needed ] Their headquarters is Kaizer Chiefs Village, in Naturena, six kilometres south of Johannesburg. [ citation needed ] In addition to its impressive record of 80 titles in 36 years, the Chiefs have also set benchmarks in local soccer sponsorship. [ citation needed ] The 2001/2002 season was one of the Club’s best, winning four major trophies in four months. These included the Vodacom Challenge, BP Top Eight, Coca-Cola Cup, and the CAF Cup Winners Cup, also known as the "Mandela Cup." [ citation needed ] By virtue of winning the Mandela Cup, the Chiefs went on to play the CAF Champions League winners Al-Ahly of Egypt in the Super Cup. In April 2002, the Kaizer Chiefs achievements were recognized by being chosen as “CAF Club of the Year.” [ citation needed ] In the 2003/2004 season the Chiefs were given the Fair Play Award at the Peace Cup in South Korea . The Chiefs ended the season as league champions winning the PSL for the first time in their history. [ citation needed ] During the championship race of the 2004/2005 soccer season, the 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 35 goals in all competitions. [ citation needed ] Kaizer Chiefs' forays into Africa have been temporarily scuttled by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) ban. However, it will still make its presence felt through the annual Vodacom Challenge that pits Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates with an invited European club. The Chiefs have won the Vodacom Challenge Cup 4 times since its inception. They beat a young Manchester United side in the 2006 Challenge to win the trophy. [ citation needed ] In March 2007, coach Ernst Middendorp and the club parted company. The club instantly appointed their rival team Orlando Pirates former coach Kostadin Papic for the remainder of the 2006/7 season. [ citation needed ] Muhsin Ertugral returned for the 2007/2008 season to begin his second stint with Chiefs having already coached The Soweto Glamour Boys from 1999 until 2003. [ citation needed ]