Kaizer Chiefs: Coach, Stadium, Trophies and the 2026/27 Season
Kaizer Chiefs at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 7 January 1970 |
| Founder and chairman | Kaizer Motaung |
| Home stadium | FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (about 94,000 seats) |
| Training base | Naturena, south of Johannesburg |
| Head coach | Fernando Da Cruz (from 1 July 2026) |
| Nicknames | Amakhosi, the Glamour Boys, the Phefeni Boys |
| Competitions in 2026/27 | PSL Premiership, MTN8, Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, CAF Confederation Cup |
| 2025/26 league finish | Third, with 54 points |
A Short History
Kaizer Motaung played for Orlando Pirates and then in the United States for the Atlanta Chiefs. When he came home, he started his own club in January 1970 and named it after the Atlanta team. Chiefs quickly became one of the most popular clubs in Africa, and their games against Pirates became the Soweto Derby.
The Coach: Fernando Da Cruz
Fernando Da Cruz, born in France in 1972, signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year. He was once captain of the France national futsal team and has coached in France, Belgium and Morocco, including Royal Excel Mouscron and AS FAR. He replaced co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who led Chiefs to third place in 2025/26.
Before the season, Da Cruz said Chiefs needed more attacking players before they could challenge for the league title.
The 2026/27 Season So Far
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1 August 2026 | Season opener away to newly promoted Kruger United, at Mbombela Stadium |
| August to October 2026 | Unbeaten in the first eight league games: 3 wins and 5 draws, fifth in mid-October |
| 17 October 2026 | CAF Confederation Cup, second preliminary round, first leg: lost 1-0 to Red Arrows in Ndola, Zambia |
| Friday 23 October 2026, 18:00 | Second leg against Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. Chiefs must overturn the 1-0 deficit |
Several Chiefs matches have moved in 2026/27. The away game against Golden Arrows moved to Mbombela Stadium, the trip to Richards Bay moved to Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, and the league game against Stellenbosch was postponed because of African club matches. Always check the latest fixture list before you travel.
Key Kaizer Chiefs Matches Coming Up
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 23 October 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v Red Arrows, Moses Mabhida Stadium | CAF Confederation Cup |
| Late October 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy | Carling Knockout, last 16 |
| Saturday 31 October 2026, 15:30 | Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs, FNB Stadium | League, Soweto Derby |
| From 27 January 2027 | Nedbank Cup starts | Cup |
| Saturday 13 March 2027 | Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates, FNB Stadium | League, Soweto Derby |
| 22 May 2027 | Last league round | League |
Players to Know
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Petersen | Goalkeeper | Wears the number 1 shirt |
| Inácio Miguel | Centre-back | First-team defender |
| Khanyisa Mayo | Striker | Injured at the start of 2026/27 |
| Mduduzi Shabalala | Attacking midfielder | Injured at the start of 2026/27 |
| Steven Mendes | Midfielder (reserve team) | Top scorer with six goals when South Africa won the COSAFA Under-20 Championship |
Trophies
| Competition | Titles | Most recent |
|---|---|---|
| League (NPSL, NSL and PSL) | 12 | 2014/15 |
| Nedbank Cup (FA Cup) | 14 (record) | 2025 |
| League Cup (now the Carling Knockout) | 13 (record) | 2010 |
| MTN8 (Top 8) | 15 | 2014 |
| African Cup Winners’ Cup | 1 | 2001 |
| CAF Champions League | Runners-up | 2021 |
Where to Watch Kaizer Chiefs
Every Chiefs league match is shown on SuperSport on DStv. Some PSL matches have been shown free on SABC 1 in past seasons, depending on the SABC’s sub-licence deal, so check SABC Sport’s listings each week.
The Soweto Derby
Chiefs’ biggest rivals are Orlando Pirates. Read our Soweto Derby guide for kick-off, tickets, form and players to watch.
Kaizer Chiefs Questions
Who is the Kaizer Chiefs coach?
Fernando Da Cruz, from France, who started on 1 July 2026.
Where do Kaizer Chiefs play their home games?
At FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg, although some games have been moved to other stadiums in 2026/27.
Are Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Confederation Cup?
Yes. They lost the first leg of the second preliminary round 1-0 to Red Arrows on 17 October 2026, with the second leg on 23 October 2026 in Durban.
How many league titles have Kaizer Chiefs won?
12, most recently in 2014/15.
When did Kaizer Chiefs last win a trophy?
They won the Nedbank Cup in 2025.
When is the next Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates match?
On Saturday 31 October 2026 at FNB Stadium, listed for 15:30.
More: Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and the PSL 2026/27 season guide.
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