Kaizer Chiefs have always been South Africa's team – not just Soweto's pride

IOL News

3 days ago

Large backing in Durban Kaizer Chiefs supporters in Durban watch their team in action in last season's Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Image: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs announced their intention to continue playing their home games all over South Africa.
Last season, Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane served as their home base alongside the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
And it paid off for the club. They drew bigger crowds in Polokwane and Durban as fans in those cities got the chance to watch their heroes up close.
'We're definitely a national brand, so the country is our home. So, definitely, we'll be playing at FNB Stadium, but we're certainly going to be playing in Mabhida – you'll see us playing in the Toyota Cup there on Saturday,' Jessica Motaung, the club's marketing director, was quoted by iDiski Times.
'Then we will look at playing our other home games in other parts of the country. We also have the opportunity to play elsewhere for our CAF games, in CAF-certified stadiums. Certainly, the balance of travel vs having a base here at FNB will be managed.'
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Chiefs moving their games around the country makes sense, as it's consistent with how the club was founded by Kaizer Motaung back in the 1970s.
Back then, the mighty Amakhosi didn't have a permanent home and played in townships and rural towns across South Africa. They took the game to places where fans had little access to top-tier football.
Entertaining players like Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Vusi "Computer" Lamola, and Pro Khumalo, kept fans on their feet for the duration of matches. Because of this, the club built up a large following, which resulted in them becoming the most supported club in the country.
Despite having the most fans in South Africa, Chiefs have struggled to fill up FNB Stadium in recent years. There is a sense of apathy among the club's supporters in Soweto, who would rather watch games from the comfort of their own homes instead of going to the ground and cheering on their players.
Two seasons ago, Chiefs were embarrassed when only a few of their supporters showed up to honour one of the club's greatest-ever players, Itumeleng Khune.
When the club chooses to play their home games across South Africa, they should be lauded for celebrating their roots. When they play in Durban, Gqeberha, Polokwane, or even Stellenbosch, you get the sense that you are watching the biggest and most supported club in the country. At FNB Stadium, not so much.
By embracing a national footprint, Kaizer Chiefs are not just chasing crowds – they're reconnecting with their identity. It's a very bold move, and it's aimed at reigniting passion and loyalty across South Africa.
In a time when football fans crave authenticity and engagement, Chiefs are taking the game to the people, just as they did in their early days. It's a reminder that their greatness has always come from being more than just a club – they are a movement.
IOL Sport
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