Atlanta Chiefs of Aston Villa as well as Kaizer Motaung who went on to found Kaizer Chiefs FC, who now play in the South African Premier Soccer League. The Kaizer Chiefs name and logo were inspired by those of the Atlanta club. On August 9, 1966, Atlanta Braves, Inc., received a franchise in the newly created National Professional Soccer League. A month later, the corporation hired Phil Woosnam as the team's first head coach which did not gain its name, "Chiefs", until January 8, 1967. By the end of February 1967, Woosnam had brought numerous players to Emory University for trials. After
Kaizer Chiefs F.C. Pirates, a fellow Soweto team which Chiefs founder Kaizer Motaung played for in his early playing career. Famous players who donned the black and gold jersey in the past include former national team captains Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe and also Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Gary Bailey, "Shoes Mosheu", Shaun Bartlett, Steve Komphela, Siyabonga Nomvete and Doctor Khumalo. Chiefs were banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from competing in African club competitions until 2009 after their abrupt withdrawal from the 2005 CAF Confederation Cup. This was the second time in four years that Chiefs had been penalized by CAF for refusal