Latest news with #JessicaMotaung
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs remain silent on striker transfer leak
'I can't speak on anything right now until the club (Chiefs) makes announcements,' said Chiefs' Jessica Motaung Etiosa Ighodaro is said to be joining Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs caused a stir last weekend when an announcement video for striker Etiosa Ighodaro appeared to be leaked on social media. ALSO READ: Chiefs out to set stall for new season in Toyota Cup Kaizer Chiefs media team can't keep a secret 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 welcome in advance Ighodaro — Khoza (Mkhathini) (@NtokozoKhoza18) July 20, 2025 This is despite the 24 year-old seemingly still being contracted to Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs' Ighodaro issue Ighodaro spent last season on loan at AmaZulu, and would need to have been released from his contract by his parent club Sundowns, for Amakhosi to snap him up as a free agent. It is unclear, however, whether Sundowns have done this. 'I can't speak on anything right now until the club (Chiefs) makes announcements,' said Chiefs' marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung this week, when quizzed about the Ighodaro 'leak'. Chiefs midfielder Samkelo Zwane, meanwhile, believes Chiefs are ready for the new season after a pre-season camp in the Netherlands. 'My body is tired, the players are tired, the trip to the Netherlands was a good one,' Zwane told Newzroom Africa 'I think all pre-seasons are like that, a place to understand our teammates and coach better.' Zwane added that the back-to-back games Amakhosi played was probably a deliberate tactic. Toyota Cup showdown 'From my understanding it was deliberate, to make sure we are physically ready for the new season.' ALSO READ: Sundowns winger set for exit after frustrating season Chiefs will play their next pre-season match against Asante Kotoko of Ghana on Saturday in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Jessica Motaung promises more big-name signings for Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs, led by marketing director Jessica Motaung, are set to make more high-profile signings and leverage their youth talent as they aim to improve their performance in the Betway Premiership this season. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix While Kaizer Chiefs have already made a number of high-profile signings ahead of the new season, club marketing director Jessica Motaung has promised the Soweto Giants will still sign more big names in the coming months. Since the end of last season, Chiefs have already signed Ethan Chislett, Thabiso Monyane, Flavio Silva, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga and Siphesihle Ndlovu. Chiefs will not be involved in the opening weekend of local football action in the MTN8, but they will still have their work cut out from the outset in their new Betway Premiership campaign. With Chiefs having finished outside the top eight in the league the last two seasons, there are increased expectations that the Soweto Giants will produce a much better showing.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs have always been South Africa's team – not just Soweto's pride
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.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to [email protected]. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs confirm home games across SA for new season
Kaizer Chiefs have doubled down on their commitment to taking football to the fans by continuing to host home games at various stadiums across the country in the 2025/2026 season. Last season, the Soweto giants rotated between FNB Stadium, the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, and Moses Mabhida Stadium. Now, they plan to expand this list of venues even further, according to Marketing and Commercial Director, Jessica Motaung. Chiefs will once again forgo a single, consistent home base in favour of a national approach that reflects their widespread fanbase. 'We're definitely a national brand, so the country is our home,' said Motaung in an interview with iDiski Times. 'So definitely we'll be playing at FNB Stadium, but we're certainly going to be playing in Mabhida, you see us playing in the Toyota Cup there on Saturday.' Her comments highlight the club's strategic focus on national presence over regional loyalty. Chiefs' return to continental football via the CAF Confederation Cup offers even more reason to explore new certified venues outside Gauteng. '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 in FNB will be managed,' added Motaung, acknowledging the logistical challenge but reaffirming the club's intention to maintain its reach. While some players expressed concern last season about the demands of extra travel, the club's ability to draw significant support wherever they played made a lasting impression. However, Chiefs' inconsistent league form suggests that balancing travel with high-level performance remains a key objective this season. Motaung confirmed that while FNB will still serve as a primary home ground, other venues will play crucial roles. Kaizer Chiefs are currently preparing for their next challenge, the Toyota Cup clash against Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium this Saturday. Reinforcing their intent to keep reaching fans across all corners of South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Motaung on Velebayi and Baartman
Kaizer Chiefs Marketing Director Jessica Motaung says the club is taking a professional approach to the transfer saga involving Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi. With Cape Town Spurs relegated ABC Motsepe League, the duo could very well be free agents pending the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) hearing. The Urban Warriors argue that the players are still contracted with the team and if a club wants their services, they should buy them. Motaung says Kaizer Chiefs will wait for the outcome of the hearing. 'I think what's important is that we're in the business of doing things that won't interfere with other clubs, we want to follow certain procedures and that relates to any other player we're looking at,' she told the media. 'So, we're taking a very professional approach in terms of integrating and bringing the players into the team, so we will make sure we only make announcements when the time is right – so watch this space. 'But certainly, we can't be engaging on players who are still with teams or still contracted. once there are any changes we will make those announcements. There's a process; it needs to be followed, once it's done, we will make announcements.' 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.
