Kaizer Chiefs have taken a major step in their history with the official launch of their women’s side, Kaizer Chiefs Ladies, confirming long-anticipated plans to enter the women’s game.
The announcement, made on March 31, marks a significant milestone for the South African giants, who are now joining clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy in establishing women’s teams. Given the club’s massive following across Africa, the move is already being seen as one that could have a lasting impact on the growth of women’s football on the continent.
The newly formed side will be led by coach Unathi Mabena and will begin life in the second-tier Sasol League, working their way up from the regional structure in Gauteng rather than starting in the top-flight Hollywoodbets Super League.
The project has been in development for several years, with Chiefs confirming that discussions with Springs Home Sweepers, owned by former player Joseph Mkhonza, began as far back as 2023 before a formal partnership was finalised in 2025. The arrangement ultimately allowed the club to acquire Sweepers league status.
Speaking to CAFOnline on the development, Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung described the launch as a defining moment for the club. “This is definitely one of the biggest milestones for Kaizer Chiefs in a long time,” she said. “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.”
She explained that the club took a careful and structured approach before entering the women’s game. “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.”
Funding was also a key consideration, with the club securing support from Brima Logistics as they look to build a sustainable foundation. Motaung expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the women’s game, highlighting improvements in competitions like the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the increasing investment across clubs.
“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,” she added.
The response from supporters has already been overwhelmingly positive, with fans embracing the new team as an extension of the club’s identity. Motaung noted that beyond competition, the initiative is also about creating opportunities for young female players to develop and reach higher levels of the game.
The Kaizer Chiefs Ladies squad will feature a mix of experience and youth, including former Banyana Banyana midfielder Mamello Makhabane, as well as emerging talents like Zanele Kunyamane and Katlego Mohale. Players with experience in the Hollywoodbets Super League are also part of the group, adding depth and competitiveness.
The team is set to play its home matches at both the Kaizer Chiefs Village and KwaThema Stadium in Springs, as they begin their journey with ambitions of rising through the ranks and eventually competing at the highest level of African women’s football.
