Kaizer Chiefs, known as Amakhosi, are one of the biggest clubs in Soweto, and they sit fourth in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership as of 4 November 2026. This profile covers their history, honours, rivalry with Orlando Pirates, home ground, results and fixtures. Because the club has won 12 league titles and a long list of cups, the background matters as much as the table.
This page combines API-Football data with history checked against the club’s own website, psl.co.za and other sources, and it says so when sources disagree. In addition, you can check the full table on our PSL table page and the schedule on the PSL fixtures page.
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What is the history of Kaizer Chiefs?
Kaizer Chiefs were formally founded on 7 January 1970 in Phefeni, Orlando West, Soweto, by the former Orlando Pirates player Kaizer Motaung. The club’s own history says the story began in the 1960s. Motaung made his Pirates debut at 16, then starred for Atlanta Chiefs in the North American Soccer League, which is where the name comes from. API-Football and psl.co.za also give 1970 as the founding year.
In late 1969, Motaung came home to find Pirates in turmoil. Team manager Ewert Nene and three players had been expelled, so an invitational Kaizer XI played friendlies around the country. Crowds loved it, and supporters pushed for a permanent side. As a result, Motaung led the process of creating the new club. You can read that account on the official Kaizer Chiefs history page.
Amakhosi means chiefs or kings in Zulu. The club also picked up the tag “Phefeni Glamour Boys”, because Motaung insisted his players dress smartly, and its slogan is “Love & Peace”. Chiefs won their first league title in 1974. Then they added a unified multiracial league title in 1979. By the club’s own account, the side had become the country’s most popular within ten years.
The 1980s brought the “Cup Kings” era, and the first title of the National Soccer League era arrived in 1989, one point clear of Pirates. That same year, Chiefs beat Moroka Swallows 2-1 in the JPS Knockout final that opened FNB Stadium. Meanwhile, the club kept growing off the pitch. Nelson Mandela opened the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena on 5 April 2002.
What has Kaizer Chiefs won?
Kaizer Chiefs have won 12 league championships, the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup and the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup, among many domestic cups. The league years listed by the club and by Wikipedia agree: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2012/13 and 2014/15.
On the continent, Chiefs won the African Cup Winners’ Cup, then named the Mandela Cup, in 2001. The final went to two legs, with a 1-1 draw in Luanda and the decider at Ellis Park, and the Confederation of African Football named Chiefs its Club of the Year for 2001.
At home, Stuart Baxter’s side won a league and Nedbank Cup double in 2012/13 and a league and MTN8 double in 2014/15, according to the club’s history. The Telkom Knockout was won again in December 2010, when Chiefs beat Pirates 3-0 in the final. After that, a long trophy drought ended on 10 May 2025. Chiefs beat Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with goals from Gaston Sirino (penalty) and Yusuf Maart. The league’s website called it their first major silverware since 2015, and you can read the PSL report of the final.
Sources also give different cup totals, because some count predecessor competitions, so we do not print one. However, every year above is confirmed by at least two sources.
Who are Kaizer Chiefs’ biggest rivals?
Orlando Pirates are Chiefs’ biggest rivals, and the Soweto Derby between them is the biggest fixture on the calendar. The split at Pirates in 1969-70 is part of Chiefs’ founding story, so the rivalry runs back to day one. Read more in our Soweto Derby guide and the Orlando Pirates profile.
The derby also carries a painful memory. On 11 April 2001, 43 supporters died in a crush at Ellis Park before a league derby, as both the club and Wikipedia record. Because of that, the fixture is remembered with care. The next league derby is on 31 October 2026 at Orlando Stadium, with a 15:30 SAST kick-off, according to psl.co.za.
Chiefs also share a long title rivalry with Mamelodi Sundowns. The club’s history describes the 1992 title race between the two, which Chiefs won by four points.
Who are the notable Kaizer Chiefs players and coaches?
Kaizer Motaung, Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Doctor Khumalo and Lucas Radebe are the names most tied to Chiefs history, and Fernando Da Cruz is the head coach in September 2026. Motaung is the founder and a former Pirates and Atlanta Chiefs forward. Ntsoelengoe starred in the 1970s side, and Khumalo became a 1980s and 1990s club legend. Radebe left for Leeds United in 1994 and later captained them, as the club’s history notes.
Coaching changes are frequent, so we only name the head coach that the club itself lists. The Chiefs match centre names Fernando Da Cruz, and Wikipedia agrees. Dillon Sheppard is an assistant coach, and he spoke to the media after the 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows on 20 September 2026.
Among current players, goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner made his debut in that same game, according to the club’s website. For the rest of the squad, see the official first-team pages, because player moves change quickly.
Where do Kaizer Chiefs play their home games?
Kaizer Chiefs play at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, also known as Soccer City, the biggest ground in the Betway Premiership. API-Football lists its capacity as 94,736, while Wikipedia gives both 94,736 and 94,797 in different places, so we use “about 94,700”. The PSL fixture list shows all upcoming league home games there, including 17 October and 4 November 2026.
The club is based at Chiefs Village in Naturena, according to the league’s club page. Meanwhile, FNB Stadium has a history with Chiefs, because they won its opening game, the 1989 JPS Knockout final, 2-1 against Swallows.
How are Kaizer Chiefs doing in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership?
Kaizer Chiefs are fourth in the table as of 4 November 2026, with 14 points from 9 matches. That leaves them 9 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played 9. Overall, that keeps them in the top half.
Their record reads 3 wins, 5 draws and 0 defeats, with 13 goals scored and 8 conceded (goal difference +5). In other words, they are collecting 1.75 points per game. For comparison, that pace is above their 2025/26 average of 1.80.
Every club plays 30 league matches, 15 at home and 15 away. With 8 played, Kaizer Chiefs have completed 27% of their season, so there is still a long way to go. However, the early table already shows who has started fast.
The split by venue tells a similar story. At home they have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 0. Away from home, however, they have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 0.
What were the last five league results?
Here are the most recent league matches, oldest first:
- won 3-2 at home to Siwelele on 6 September 2026
- drew 1-1 away to Polokwane City on 12 September 2026
- drew 0-0 away to Golden Arrows on 20 September 2026
- drew 1-1 at home to Stellenbosch on 13 October 2026
- lost 1-2 away to Orlando Pirates on 31 October 2026
Overall, 4 draws from the last five shows a side that is hard to beat but struggling to close games out.
How did Kaizer Chiefs do last season?
In 2025/26, Kaizer Chiefs finished third in the 16-club table with 14 points from 9 matches. They won 15, drew 9 and lost 6, scoring 33 and conceding 19.
That was a top-three finish, so the club is once again expected to compete for the title. Consequently, the current campaign starts from a clear reference point.
All 2025/26 figures come from API-Football data.
What are Kaizer Chiefs’s next fixtures?
The next three scheduled league matches, with kick-off times in SAST, are:
- 28 November 2026: away to Chippa United (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
- 5 December 2026: away to Milford FC (kick-off 20:15 SAST)
- 15 December 2026: home to TS Galaxy (kick-off 19:30 SAST)
That is a gap of 17 days after the last league match. Meanwhile, dates and times can move for broadcast or other reasons, so always check the PSL fixtures page and live scores for the latest schedule.
Where are Kaizer Chiefs heading?
Kaizer Chiefs are unbeaten in 2026/27 but have drawn four of their seven league games, so they trail leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by seven points as of 4 November 2026. Their 0-0 draw at Golden Arrows on 20 September included a missed first-half penalty, according to our Betway Premiership round 7 round-up. The chances are there, so the finishing is the fix.
Fernando Da Cruz is still shaping a squad that finished third in 2025/26. Therefore the next tests are Stellenbosch at home on 17 October and the Soweto Derby on 31 October. Follow every match on our PSL results page.
How can you follow Kaizer Chiefs this season?
Start with the PSL table for the standings and the live scores page on match days. Additionally, the Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page and the South Africa national soccer team players page cover the national side, which is handy when league games pause. Finally, official fixtures and club information are on psl.co.za.
Frequently asked questions about Kaizer Chiefs
When was Kaizer Chiefs founded?
Kaizer Chiefs were formally founded on 7 January 1970 in Orlando West, Soweto, by Kaizer Motaung, according to the club’s own history.
What is Kaizer Chiefs’s nickname?
Supporters call Kaizer Chiefs Amakhosi, which means chiefs or kings in Zulu. They are also known as the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
Where do Kaizer Chiefs play home games?
Kaizer Chiefs play their home league matches at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, also known as Soccer City, which holds about 94,700 people.
What has Kaizer Chiefs won?
Kaizer Chiefs have won 12 league titles, the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup and the Nedbank Cup, most recently in 2025 with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates.
Where are Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL table?
As of 26 September 2026, Kaizer Chiefs are fifth with 14 points from 9 matches.
