Formation of Kaizer Chiefs - background facts
The Soweto Giants Kaizer Chiefs were founded in January 1970 shortly after the return of Kaizer "Chincha Guluva" Motaung from the United States where he played as a striker for the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
In 1969 Orlando Pirates and Highlands Park, the white league champions, organised a match to determine the ‘true’ South African champions.
The contest was planned for 31 August in Mbabane, Swaziland, and received FIFA’s blessing.
The black popular press ignited a feverish build-up to the match with daily coverage.
As the day of reckoning approached, the World newspaper of 13 August 1969, revealed in ‘Rush On for Big Swazi Game’ that ‘excitement is mounting among soccer fans and there has been an unprecedented rush for passports by soccer fans wanting to see the soccer game of the year’.
But two weeks before an expected mass exodus of fans to Swaziland, S.L. Muller, Minister of Police, announced that the match would not take place because it contravened government policy.
Intense conflicts within Pirates surfaced in the run-up to the Highlands Park match.
Ultimately, these resulted in the formation of Kaizer Chiefs – presently the most popular club in South Africa.
Legendary Pirates striker Kaizer Motaung and flamboyant team manager Ewert ‘The Lip’ Nene headed a breakway faction that formed a barnstorming side in January 1970 initially called Kaizer XI.
The immediate cause of split was the expulsion of Nene and three players – Edward ‘Msomi’ Khoza, Thomas ‘Zero’ Johnson and Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
Club Records
Most Appearance - Doctor Khumalo 497
Most Goals - Bernard Parker '87'
Most capped player – Siphiwe Tshabalala '91'
Most goals in a season (all competitions) –Collins Mbesuma – '35' 2004/05
Record win – 9–1 vs Manning Rangers (Coca-Cola Challenge – 23 March 1996)
Record loss – 1–5 vs AmaZulu (League – 8/6/86), Orlando Pirates
As according to Football Database, The 'Phefeni Glamour Boys' ranks 348 worldwide, and 18 in the Continent.
Credit: Peter Alegi – Soccer Laduma!
