Kaizer Chiefs at 53: Who are their greatest ever players?

The first of several glorious midfielders on this list, Khuse inherited Patrick Ntsoelengoe’s iconic No. 12 shirt—and helped clubs forget the inimitable presence of Ace—and also wore Kaizer Motaung’s 24 shirt.

No pressure then!

He was a double-winner in 1991, and later moved to Turkey after representing all of the big three in South Africa.

Legendary right-back who passed away in 2021.

He is the longest-serving captain in the club’s history, and was particularly prominent during the club’s golden era under English coach Eddie Lewis.

During that spell, he won four National Premier Soccer League titles—including the treble in 1981—and later served as Chiefs’ academy coach.

One of the most respected African legends to have played in the Premier League, Radebe was a hero at Leeds United, and helped them reach the semi-finals of the 2000-01 Champions League.

Despite the injuries, ‘Rhoo’ was beloved for his committed displays, and his loyalty to Leeds—despite reported interest from Manchester United.

He was a member of South Africa’s ‘Nation Builders’ who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, two years after he’d left Chiefs.

Replaced Howard Freese as Chiefs captain in 1992, but enjoyed greater success later in his career after being converted to defence.

Tovey played in over 340 league games for the Amakhosi, but the highlight of his career came at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, when he captained Bafana to a maiden Afcon title.

The only player on this list currently on the club’s playing staff, Khune must be commended for his immense loyalty to Chiefs during his career.

Regularly considered among Africa’s finest goalkeepers since establishing himself at Chiefs, he is a one-club man who has been an emblematic figure of some of the club’s recent successes.

Reflexes, diving skills and awesome delivery are among his chief attributes, while he's demonstrated his character in recent months to retake his place as the club's No. 1.

Amassed 397 starts for Chiefs—a record—Khumalo boasted immense passing skills and terrific ability with the ball.

He also chipped in with goals too, and would regularly evade defenders with a turn of pace and intelligent movement before firing home.

’16 Valve’ also played in the United States and Argentina, and was an Afcon champion with Bafana Bafana.

A superstar with Chiefs during the late 70s and through the 80s, Dladla was beloved by Black and Gold fans for his showboating, flair and ability to hurt—and humiliate—the opposition.

He particularly enjoyed playing in the Soweto Derby, and is joint second in the all-time scoring charts for the match.

Dladla, who was nicknamed ‘Botsotso’ or ‘Umgabadeli’, also enjoyed two spells as Chiefs manager.

Starred for Chiefs either side of a long stint in Turkish football, where he represented heavyweights Fenerbahce—one of the most prominent moves for a Bafana player in the history of the South African game.

The midfielder’s consistency and fitness were superb, and operating as a deep-lying playmaker, he was particularly influential at dictating play.

He represented South Africa at the ’98 World Cup—two years after winning the Afcon.

The founder of Kaizer Chiefs, Motaung was previously on the books of Orlando Pirates and Atlanta Chiefs (who inspired the Glamour Boys’ name!).

Bra K was a lethal threat in the final third, and helped build the Chiefs dynasty as he got the project off the ground with his consistent goalscoring in the early years of the club.

Voted Chiefs’ greatest ever player in 2010, Ntsoelengoe was considered to be the Ronaldinho of his day due to his technical prowess, footwork, and the joy with which he played the game.

Largely uncelebrated among the broader football community, ‘Maestro’ had remarkable vision, but his contribution to the sport was largely limited to Chiefs—for whom he scored 19 Soweto Derby goals—and North America.