Kaizer Chiefs will add a new page in the illustrious and well documented history of one of South Africa’s most famous venues, when they play what will be their first home game at their temporary home ground Vodacom Loftus in Tshwane (Pretoria) on Sunday afternoon.

Named after Mr. Loftus Owen Versveld a local sports organizer in the Capital, the Stadium which is home to rugby teams; the Super 14 Franchise the Bulls and the Currie Blue Bulls team, the venue has played host to organized sport for a century with the first, professional rugby game being played at the famous ground in 1906. Over the years the venue has been regularly upgraded.

As a result of its regular upgrades, Loftus is one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Venues, which will require minimum upgrading, an indication of the fact that the Stadium boasts world class facilities.

Down the years it is not just the Stadium infrastructure that has changed; it has also changed its name as the venue owners have cashed in on selling the naming rights of the stadium to various sponsors down the years. Most recently in 2005 in keeping with its sponsorship of the Bulls and Blue Bulls rugby teams, the Stadium name changed to the Vodacom Loftus Stadium.

The Amakhosi have played a number of league games against Tshwane based teams SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Stadium with a number of memorable encounters between The Amakhosi and teams traditionally from the capital.

On the opening day of the current season 2006 – 2007, Chiefs were hosted by SuperSport United and played out a four-goal thriller at the venue, with Kaizer Motaung Junior stealing a point for Chiefs with a wonder goal towards the end of the game.

For Chiefs Loftus is also the Stadium where they recorded their only wins against European opposition, the first being a one goal win against Portuguese team Benfica in the four team 1993 United Bank tournament semifinal. With their victory over European opposition being the recent penalty shoot out triumph over English Premier League Giants Manchester United in the Vodacom Challenge Final this past July.

It was at Loftus in 1999 where Bafana Bafana also recorded their first Victory over European opposition, when they beat Sweden to lift the Nelson Mandela inauguration trophy. Bafana Bafana defeated Sweden by a lone strike from Siyabonga Nomvete who had entered the game as a second half substitute, who at the time was a Kaizer Chiefs player.

Chiefs will be aiming to continuing the long standing tradition they have with Loftus on Sunday against Maritzburg United, and will be hoping to uphold what has generally been a wining tradition with the Stadium.

Loftus Profile:

Stadium Name: Vodacom Loftus


Stadium Capacity: 55 000


Stadium Built: 1906


Major Stadium Renovations: 1923, 1928, 1984

Loftus Fact: The Stadium owners cashed in on the fact that they hosted a Rugby Test Match between the Springboks and All Blacks in 1928 and used the profit to erect Toilet and Changeroom facilities at the ground which at the time could host 2000 spectators.