South African giants Kaizer Chiefs enter exciting new era after launch of women’s team

South African giants Kaizer Chiefs have enjoyed many momentous milestones in their illustrious near six-decade history, but one of the biggest came this week when they launched a women’s team that they hope will, in time, become major players on the African continent. 

Chiefs join Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy as South African top-flight teams to create a women’s side, but given their profile across Africa, they have the potential to be a real game-changer for the women’s game. 

“This is definitely one of the biggest milestones for Kaizer Chiefs in a long time,” Chiefs Marketing & Commercial Director Jessica Motaung told CAFOnline. “It is a significant moment in our history as we redefine where we are going and chart our way into women’s football, which is absolutely the right space to be in on the continent and in the world.” 

Motaung revealed that much research and preparation had gone into planning for the team, and that it has been a long journey to reach this point. 

“This has been a three-year process and has been long in the making. Women’s football has been on our radar for some time, and we have taken a very deliberate approach to make sure that when Kaizer Chiefs enters the women’s game, we do it properly,” she said. 

“We have done extensive research and engaged with key people in the women’s game, both in South Africa and across the continent, to understand the structures and identify the best way for us to build this project. 

“One of the major challenges in the women’s game is funding, so it was critical for us to ensure that we brought sponsors on board. We are delighted to have Brima Logistics with us on this journey, supporting what is a pioneering step in the club’s history.” 

Motaung said the club would not have entered the women’s football space if they were not bullish about its future and the huge potential that exists on the African continent. 

“I am very excited and optimistic about the future of women’s football in South Africa and on the continent. We have seen real progress, the quality of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON has improved, clubs are investing more, and the opportunity for growth is clearly there. 

“What is now important is that we continue to build more professional leagues, better structures and stronger infrastructure so that women in football can earn better and thrive in the game.” 

Motaung said the reaction to the club launching a women’s team has been incredibly positive. 

“The support from Kaizer Chiefs fans, both in South Africa and across the continent, has been amazing. It is heartwarming to see them already embracing the women’s team, and it gives us great excitement to offer them another team to support,” she said. 

“For us, this is also about creating a platform for young women to showcase their talent, represent the Kaizer Chiefs badge with pride, and hopefully grow into players who can represent the country and progress to international level.” 

The team will not start in the Hollywoodbets Super League, but will instead work their way up through the divisions from the regional league in Gauteng. 

Motaung said the way the team is marketed, and made accessible to fans everywhere, is crucially important. 

“We are also looking forward to streaming our matches so that supporters across the continent can follow the Kaizer Chiefs women’s team and South African women’s football more broadly. Broadcasting and packaging the game properly is an important part of growing the space. 

“Our pathway is clear: we want to grow through the Sasol League and ultimately compete in the Hollywoodbets Super League.” 

Motaung believes the club has a strong technical team and backroom staff to make the project a success. 

“This has been an exciting journey, and there are many people behind the scenes who made it possible, especially in the scouting process, where we travelled across the country to identify talented young players. 

“I am also excited about the technical team we have assembled, including coach Unathi Mabena, and about the spirit in which this entire project has come to life. 

“I want to congratulate and welcome the young women who are now part of the Kaizer Chiefs family. They are truly amazing, and I am excited for our supporters to watch them, support them, and allow them to rise, shine and become the stars they are meant to be.” 

Experienced goalkeeper Yolula Tsawe cannot wait for the season to start and said all the players are excited to represent the Kaizer Chiefs brand. 

“It has been a dream for many of us for a long time to see one of the big clubs in South African football establish a women’s team,” Tsawe said. “With teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy already in the space, it felt like the right time for a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature to take this step. 

“This is a big achievement not only for the club, but also for women’s football in South Africa. To have such a major brand enter the women’s game is something we are proud to be part of. 

“For us as young women, this is a great opportunity and a huge honour. There are so many girls across the country who dream of playing for a club like Kaizer Chiefs, so to be here is something we are deeply grateful for.” 

Tsawe said the players recognise what a possible game-changer this is for the local game. 

“Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest football brands in South Africa and is known across the continent and beyond, so having a club of this size enter women’s football is a major boost for the game as a whole,” she said. “It gives players, supporters and the wider football community something new and exciting to believe in. 

“The mood in the squad is very high because everyone understands how significant this moment is. At the same time, we know there is work to be done, because we are still a new team that needs to gel, learn from each other and grow together. 

“Teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns have shown what is possible by raising standards and representing the country so well, and that has created an example for other clubs to follow. 

“The challenge now is for more clubs to keep pushing, to work harder and to match those standards so that the local game continues to improve. That is how South African women’s football will keep growing and excelling.”