Kaizer Chiefs Ladies celebrate a victory over Refilwe
The newly formed Kaizer Chiefs Ladies Team demonstrated their class on Saturday, outplaying the Gauteng Women’s Development League‘s (GWDL) front-runners, Refilwe, 5-1 at Curro Hazeldean.
The match was a friendly. It was also Chiefs’ first game as a development team in Gauteng.
They’re gearing up to contest the Gauteng Sasol League, where they will face, among others, Mamelodi Sundowns, who have set the standard across all divisions of women’s football.
Unathi Mabena coaches the side, with Justice Khunou serving as the assistant coach. For several weeks now, they’ve been putting the Kaizer Chiefs Ladies through their paces at the Kaizer Chiefs Village, where they will play their home matches.
Some games have been scheduled for the Kwa Thema Stadium in Springs, which will serve as an alternative home ground.
Sponsored by Brima Logistics, the Kaizer Chiefs Ladies team officially unveiled a 24-player squad on 31 March. It features a blend of experienced and emerging young talented players.
The line-up includes former Banyana Banyana midfielder Mamello Makhabane, as well as junior internationals Zanele Kunyamane and Katleho Mohale.
While Mamelodi Sundowns, one of their great rivals in the Betway Premiership, is well-established in women’s football, Kaizer Chiefs took their time to put a team together. However, it was inevitable that it would happen as the sport has undergone a rapid expansion in South Africa.
Their initiative began in 2023 through a strategic alliance with Springs Home Sweepers. In 2025, that evolved into a formal partnership.
In a recent press release, Kaizer Chiefs stated that the collaboration with Springs Home Sweepers enabled the club to enhance its knowledge and capacity within the women’s football domain. Eventually, it culminated in Chiefs acquiring the Gauteng Sasol League status of Springs Home Sweepers, thereby securing their official entry into the competitive arena of women’s football.
Mondli Dube, the GWDL Administrator, was an interested spectator at the match between Refilwe and Kaizer Chiefs. He described the game as an entertaining and intense contest.
“The friendly was nothing short of spectacular,” he enthused, “filled with intensity, skill, and moments of brilliance. Amakhosi rose above, showcasing their class and finishing power,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Lebohang Ramodike, the chairman of Refilwe, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to compete against Kaizer Chiefs and characterised the outing as a valuable challenge for his team. He also remarked on the promising start his squad has made in the GWDL, noting that they currently lead the standings in the u17 division.
“Although the season is still in its early stages, the young girls are responding positively to the development efforts, and the coaches are available to offer their guidance,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Refilwe faces Black Diamond Sports on Sunday at the Kagiso Stadium. They’ll aim for a fifth win on the trot to stay clear of their Pretoria rivals, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and Mamelodi Sundowns, who are also unbeaten in four and three matches, respectively.
