Kaizer Chiefs finally enter the women's football arena
Kaizer Chiefs have officially embarked on their journey into the women's game through a strategic partnership with Springs Home Sweepers FC, a Kwa-Thema club, playing in the Sasol League, South Africa's second-tier women's football division.
This landmark development formalises the growing relationship between the two clubs and signifies a significant investment in the empowerment and development of women in sport.
The storied AmaKhosi, also known as the Phefeni Glamour Boys, qualified for the Confederation Cup competition after clinching the 2025 Nedbank Cup earlier this year.
Under the regulations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), clubs must have a women's team or a formal partnership with one to participate in inter-club competitions.
This new alliance with Springs Home Sweepers, owned by former Chiefs player and ex-Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza, propels the Chiefs' commitment toward women's football to new heights.
For Chiefs, collaboration will be the cornerstone of their relationship. The two clubs have worked closely to uplift and enhance the women's football landscape in South Africa through technical development, sharing resources, and paving pathways for up-and-coming female players.
Kaizer Motaung, executive chairman of AmaKhosi, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.
'I am excited to see this partnership coming to fruition. This collaboration is a significant milestone for our club as we continue to invest in the development of women's football in South Africa.
"We believe in empowering women in sport and providing opportunities for them to shine. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to growing the beautiful game and fostering a more inclusive sporting environment.'
Additionally, Jessica Motaung, Chiefs' Commercial and Marketing Director, played a pivotal role in establishing this partnership.
"We are thrilled to formalise this relationship with Home Sweepers," she said. "This partnership is about more than just football; it's about creating a sustainable ecosystem for women's football in South Africa. Aligning women's clubs with professional structures like Chiefs is vital for the growth and professionalism of the women's game."
Mkhonza, who has a long-standing commitment to women's football, emphasized that the involvement of a club of Chiefs' stature heralds a new era for the women's game.
'Their involvement signals real intent and belief in the women's game. This is also a great opportunity to grow our footprint in our area and continue to build a platform for young female talent to thrive,' he stated.
Under the new partnership, Home Sweepers played their first match against Wits University this past weekend, signalling the dawn of a new chapter in their journey.
The excitement continues with their next fixture set for a home game against Blue Birds Football Academy on Sunday at the Kwa-Thema Stadium, promising another opportunity for these talented women to shine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
12 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Chiefs lose on penalties to Kotoko in Toyota Cup
It's too early to make any conclusions, but Kaizer Chiefs showed some positive signs in their last big preseason Toyota Cup friendly played against Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties after Wandile Duba, Aden McCarthy, Pule Mmodi and Chiefs skipper Miguel Inacio failed to convert their spot kicks. But overall, Chiefs' display indicated they could be better in the 2025-2026 campaign which will be Nasreddine Nabi's second season with the Glamour Boys. Chiefs could have won the matches in 90 minutes had Inacio not missed after Chiefs were awarded a penalty five minutes before the end. One aspect where maybe Chiefs produced some degree of improvement was in defence, an area where they were most vulnerable last season as they conceded 32 goals in 28 Betway Premiership matches. 🏆 𝕋𝕠𝕪𝕠𝕥𝕒 ℂ𝕦𝕡 🏆 🎙️ Asante Kotoko coach Abdul-Karim Zito reflecting on their #ToyotaCup match against Kaizer Chiefs! 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC 1 📱 #SABCSportFootball @KaizerChiefs — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 26, 2025 Nabi included three new players, Thabiso Monyane at right back, Nkanyiso Shinga at left back and Portuguese striker Flavio da Silva, in the starting lineup against Kotoko, who at times proved to be a handful for Amakhosi. Shinga certainly looked solid in a position where Nabi struggled to get a regular player last season. Physically the Durban born Shinga showed he is not an easy beat and at times supported Glody Lilepo in attack. Monyane, signed from Chiefs' Soweto archrivals Orlando Pirates, was the usual overlapping self, also very keen to help when his new team attacked but his poor final ball will need to improve. It was clear to see the growth of McCarthy who was playing alongside Inacio in front of goalkeeper Brandon Peterson who seemed to be the much-preferred no.1 by Nabi these days. It was in the midfield where Chiefs battled to create clear openings, but Sibongiseni Mthethwa showed why Nabi preferred him in the defensive midfield role as he helped clean up when Thabo Cele, Mfundo Vilakazi and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo lost possession. There were a lot of people who had already written off Da Silva before this match, but he did show some glimpses of being a good target man and his movement off the ball was not bad. Da Silva nearly gave Chiefs the league midway through the first half when he connected with Ngcobo's free kick but was unlucky to see him missing the posts. Nabi made a couple of changes at the restart as he was keen to test as many players in what was basically the last proper pre-season match before they open their league campaign away to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town on August 10. Da Silva made way for Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala came on for Cele while Pule Mmodi took Vilakazi's place. Duba was unlucky to see his delightful strike hitting the upright just 10 minutes after he had entered the fray in a pitch which looked in need of a tender care a week before the start of the football season. Nabi will be happy that his substitutes Shabalala and Mmodi combined in creating the penalty that Inacio missed. The referee Philangenkosi Khumalo pointed to the spot after Mmodi was fouled by Henry Ansu, with Shabalala having played him through with a headed pass.
The Citizen
42 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Chiefs pay the penalty as Kotoko win Toyota Cup
Skipper Inacio Miguel misses two spot kicks for Chiefs. Mohammed Camara looks on as Kaizer Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel's penalty in normal time flies wide. Camara then saved a Miguel penalty in the shootout to win the Toyota Cup for Asante Kotoko. Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs displayed familiar failings on Saturday as they were beaten 3-2 on penalties by Asante Kotoko at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, losing the Toyota Cup for the second season in a row. Mohamed Camara saved Inacio Miguel's spot kick to win the game for the Ghanaian giants, at the end of a chaotic shootout that saw Chiefs miss four penalties to Kotoko's three. It was a horrible moment for the Chiefs captain, who also failed to score from the spot in the latter stages of normal time. Chiefs put up an impressive second half performance, but were as wasteful in front of goal as they were in the whole of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign. If this defeat was far less embarrassing than the 4-0 hammering from Young Africans in the first Toyota Cup a year ago, it still left plenty for Nasreddine Nabi and his coaching staff to ponder. ALSO READ: Lorch edging closer to Sundowns exit A bumpy surface in Durban hardly encouraged slick passing football and both sides struggled to get going, with sand flying up from the pitch with every challenge. New Chiefs signings Nabi started the game with three of his new signings. Nkanyiso Shinga and Thabiso Monyane occupied the full back positions, while Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva was in attack alongside Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi and DR Congo winger Glody Lilepo. Lilepo hit an effort from long range in the 13th minute, but despite the ball bouncing just in front of Kotoko 'keeper Mohamed Kamara, he gathered easily. A minute later, Shinga fouled Hilary Adabo on the edge of the box. Emmanuel Antwi sent in a dangerous free kick, and an unmarked Kwame Opoku headed on target but Brandon Peterson tipped over. Set pieces looked like they might be the best chance for both sides to hit the back of the net. In the 27th minute, Chiefs won a free kick, and Da Silva rose highest to meet it, but headed wide. Vilakazi then went close from another dead ball situation, curling just wide from about 25 metres out. In the 36th minute, Chiefs did manage to put some neat passes together on the edge of the Kotoko box, with Lilepo eventually smashing a shot over the bar. Half time changes Nabi made three changes at the break, Mduduzi Shabalala replacing Cele, Wandile Duba coming on for Da Silva and Pule Mmodi replacing Vilakazi. In. the 54th minute, Chiefs put together another good move and the ball fell to Lilepo inside the box, but he took too long to shoot and the danger was cleared. In the 57th minute, Duba came within inches of giving Chiefs the lead. Amakhosi's young attacker put the ball through the legs of his marker and smashed in a fine shot that clattered back off the bar. Kotoko almost shot themselves in the foot in the 67th minute as a Shabalala free kick was sent loopingh towards his own net by Dayda Saaka, but Henry Ansu was on hand to head clear. Glorious chance wasted Just as the game seemed to be drifting towards a penalty shootout, Mmodi went down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Kotoko's players were unimpressed and the contact on Mmodi from Ansu did look insignificant. ALSO READ: No complaints from Ellis after Banyana defeat In the end it didn't matter as Miguel couldn't hit the target, the ball flying wide of Camara's right hand post. The Amakhosi skipper missed another wonderful chance with a weak header in stoppage time, and his misery was complete as Camara dived to his left to stop a pedestrian penalty in the shootout.
The South African
42 minutes ago
- The South African
Fans hail Thabo Cele despite Kaizer Chiefs' Toyota Cup defeat
Kaizer Chiefs supporters were full of praise for their top midfielder, Thabo Cele, following his performance against Asante Kotoko on Saturday. After the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout was needed to separate the two sides. Asante Kotoko won 3-2 after an intense shootout at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The 28-year-old Bafana Bafana player orchestrated the midfield alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. Amakhosi dominated play, especially in the first half, but poor finishing let them down. Although Kaizer Chiefs lost their second successive Toyota Cup match, Thabo Cele has been heavily praised for his performance. Overall, Chiefs looked sharp and competitive compared to what they displayed in the Netherlands. 'I have seen enough, we have player of the season loading here. Thabo Cele is a proper footballer,' @Romeo20040 tweeted. 'Thabo Cele is a very skillful midfielder, if you're not careful when marking him you'll break your ankle,' @PrinceSobayeni1 tweeted. 'Thabo Cele is the only player I would really consider writing their surname on my new Kappa thing, I haven't admired a Chiefs like this in a very long time, Infact the last player I admired like this was Doctor Khumalo,' @Ta_Fitty tweeted. Kaizer Chiefs will open their 2025/16 season against Stellenbosch on 10 August. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
