Chiefs’ return to the podium signals rebirth of sleeping giant
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday May 25, 2026 06:00
For years, Chiefs looked like a fallen empire struggling to reconnect with its glorious past. A club that once defined success in local football had become a shadow of itself, weighed down by financial troubles, factional squabbles, administrative confusion, and poor performances on the pitch.
At one stage, Magosi’s troubles appeared endless. Relegation from the Premier League in 2019 was a devastating blow for a club accustomed to challenging for honours every season.
Promotion back to the top flight proved equally elusive as the team stumbled repeatedly in the lower division, raising fears that one of the country’s biggest football institutions was slowly fading into irrelevance.
Today, Centre Chiefs are back amongst the elite and, more importantly, back where they believe they belong, on the podium.
On Saturday, Chiefs reached the Orange FA Cup final now in Season 7, where they will face defending champions Jwaneng Galaxy, a feat that signals the rebirth of one of the country’s most popular football brands.
For supporters who endured years of frustration, uncertainty and embarrassment, the team’s resurgence feels symbolic. Chiefs are no longer merely surviving; they are competing again. The transformation did not happen overnight.
The arrival of the Stanton Fredericks-led consortium in 2025 marked a turning point in the club’s fortunes.
At a time when Chiefs appeared directionless and financially crippled, the consortium injected stability and ambition into the project.
This season, Chiefs have shown signs of the identity that once made them feared opponents. They have demonstrated tactical discipline, resilience, and a winning mentality that had disappeared during the difficult years. More importantly, they have rediscovered belief. Reaching the Orange FA Cup final is proof of that progress. Cup competitions often expose weaknesses in teams lacking depth or mental strength, but Chiefs have navigated difficult encounters with growing maturity. The achievement has reignited memories of the club’s golden years when silverware challenges were expected rather than celebrated as surprises. The supporters are also back, attending the team’s games in large numbers. What makes the turnaround even more impressive is the possibility that Chiefs could finish the league campaign in second position, an FA Cup, a winners’ medal and securing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Such an outcome would have seemed impossible only a few seasons ago when the club was battling to stay relevant in the lower divisions.
The team’s assistant coach recently said their ambition is to build a team for continental football. Winning the FA Cup will inevitably revive demands for league titles and consistent dominance.
The club has reconnected with its identity and fan base, while the excitement surrounding the team again reflects the significance Chiefs hold within local football.
Their revival is also good for the local game. Football benefits when traditional giants are competitive. Big clubs attract crowds, generate debate and elevate the profile of competitions. Chiefs’ resurgence adds another compelling dimension to domestic football and strengthens the competitive landscape.
As the Orange FA Cup final approaches, Chiefs now stand on the brink of completing one of the most remarkable recoveries in recent local football history.
From relegation despair and administrative uncertainty to competing for silverware and possible continental football, the journey has been dramatic.
Whether they lift the trophy or not on May 30, one thing is already clear: Magosi are emerging from their past nightmares and competitive again.