Wednesday, January 7, 2015

7 January 1970 - It Sounds Better Than "Atlanta Motaung"

On 7 January 1970, former Orlando Pirates striker Kaizer Motaung, who had recently returned home to Soweto, South Africa after spending two years in the NASL with the Atlanta Chiefs, founded a club of his own. He called it Kaizer Chiefs, combining his name and that of his former club. (He also adopted the Atlanta Chiefs' logo, which explains the Native American profile on the club's badge.)

Nicknamed the Amakhosi ("Chiefs" in Zulu), the club was an almost instant success, winning a number of cup competitions in its first few years. It is now the most decorated club in South Africa, having won 10 league titles and more than 80 trophies in total. They won their last league title in 2005.

The Chiefs maintain a longstanding rivalry with Motaung's first club, fellow Soweto side Orlando Pirates. Both teams currently play in South Africa's top flight, the ABSA Premiership.

The members of the English band Kaiser Chiefs don't actually support the Amakhosi, but are followers of Leeds United. They adopted their name in honor of former Leeds captain Lucas Radebe, who played for Kaizer Chiefs from 1990 to 1994.

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