Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Stanton ‘Stiga’ Fredericks says he is amazed to see the continued growth and development happening at the Soweto giants.

The Johannesburg-born midfielder joined Amakhosi from Wits University in 2001 and made his official debut for Chiefs against his former club on 8 August 2001. He went on to play a total of 96 matches for the club, while netting 13 goals across all competitions.

Fredericks won four cup trophies during his time with Chiefs, the most important the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup, while also winning the BP Top 8 and Coca Cola Cup (both in the 2001-02 season) and the 2003-04 Coca Cola Cup.

He was also part of the team that won the league title back in 2004, before leaving parting ways with Amakhosi to join Russian side FC Moscow.

‘It shows the consistency,’ Fredericks told the official Kaizer Chiefs website.

‘Even 15 years after having played for Kaizer Chiefs, I still see growth and progress every time I visit Chiefs Village. The club doesn’t settle for mediocrity, it continuously strives for excellence.

‘When we arrived as Kaizer Chiefs at airports in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, there were about 2,000 to 3,000 supporters waiting for us, cheering us on. It was massive.

‘Without the supporters, Kaizer Chiefs wouldn’t be Kaizer Chiefs. They are so important to the team – they give the club an advantage, they are the 12th man.

‘Kaizer Chiefs’ are love and peace. The club is also known as the Glamour Boys. These two things already tell you a lot about the club. Also, Kaizer Chiefs were a movement before they became a soccer team. It’s important to realise the role the club played in the anti-apartheid struggle. Kaizer Chiefs is so much more than just a football club.’