The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has reiterated that South African football needs a strong and successful Kaizer Chiefs team, hailing the work done by the Motaung family in running the football club over the years. 

Amakhosi are poised to return to continental football in the CAF Confederations Cup next season after booking their Nedbank Cup final ticket at the expense of Mamelodi Sundowns and will battle Orlando Pirates in the deciding match scheduled for 10 May 2025 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

Despite a decade-long trophy drought and inconsistent performances in the league, Chiefs retain a loyal and huge fanbase – a testament to the club’s undeniable influence in the country and around the continent. 

Now, while the CAF leader is pleased to see two South African clubs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, in the latter stages of the CAF Champions League, he expressed his pride in the Naturena-based outfit, stating that their resurgence would be beneficial for local football. 

“It’s so good to see two South African teams participating in the CAF [Champions League semi-final], and I’m proud to see Kaizer Chiefs as well because South African football requires a successful Kaizer Chiefs,” said Motsepe. 

“And I’m proud of them and what the whole family has been doing. And of course, Dr. Kaizer Motaung is in a class of his own.  

“I’m also proud of all the other teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) because a successful national team requires very competitive club football. 

“What I’d like to see is more private sector because many of the families involved in football use family money to run the clubs, and I’m enormously grateful for that.”  

As the decisive second-leg matches of the Champions League semi-finals are set to take place in Cairo on Friday, Motsepe extended his best wishes to all participating clubs, including Stellies (Stellenbosch FC) in the Confederations Cup, while confidently asserting that Kaizer Chiefs will achieve greater success in the future.

“I wish all four teams [all the best], I wish Al Ahly all the best, I wish Pyramids all the best, I wish Orlando Pirates, my father’s club all of the best and I wish Stellenbosch all of the best, I also wish Mamelodi Sundowns all the best,” the CAF President added. 

“There’s a part of me that feels so proud, and I must say I’m even more proud to see Kaizer Chiefs [back in CAF competitions]. I have always known that Kaizer Chiefs has got an incredible fan base behind them. 

“And I said it in the past, the success days of Kaizer Chiefs will be coming, and I’m proud they are here, and they will be even more successful in the future.”