How Kaizer Chiefs plan to dominate Africa

In November last year, prior to the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, Chiefs’ headquarters in Naturena became the destination of choice for the trophy tour as evidence to their status and popularity. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, the Amakhosi marketing director Jessica Motaung, who spent a few weeks in the AFCON host country, discussed the club’s bigger picture.  

"The club has always taken continental football seriously, and in fact, people forget that recently, during Covid, we were in the [CAF Champions League] final," said Motaung.

"It's a big vision of ours, and it's something that we're working towards, making sure we participate, and something that we're looking at.

"Even reviving stuff like the Vodacom Challenge, making sure we have our own tournaments and playing against other teams on the continent – why wait only for Champions League?

"So you'll see a lot of developments and changes as we move along, but certainly a big passion of the club is to be dominant on the continent."

Motaung, who is also a member of the CAF Women’s Committee and the vice president of the African Clubs Association, was on a learning journey of her own during the recent AFCON. 

It is clear from the interview that she will likely be applying her newfound experience at club level as well as in several of her other administrative roles. 

"It's been an amazing tournament, to see the branding... I think what I observed is just the evolution of CAF, and to see it commercialising the way it has been," she added.

"If you look at the sponsors they've pulled on board and the relationships they've been able to garner; the work they've done with the governments. 

"To see them leverage the relationship with the government in Ivory Coast and make that a success has been wonderful. Also, the venues, it's been great to see how African venues are changing."

READ: Moroka Swallows lawyer sees no way back for Andile Jali