As millions of people began recollecting on Monday where they were five years ago on the 11th September 2001, when two planes crashed into the world trade centre in New York City, in addition two more hijacked planes crashed into other sites around the United States including in the Capital City Washington DC, while a fourth hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania.

As the world mourned the tragedy, The Amakhosi were at that time also emerging from a tragedy of their own after a number of fans tragically lost their lives in a game between Chiefs and Pirates earlier in 2001.

Through the darkest hours sport has always been able to bring relief to humanity and five years ago at the time of the attacks in the United States - Chiefs began the 2001 – 2002 season a month prior to the 11th September tragedy with the aim of honouring those who passed away in April 2001 in the Ellis Park tragedy with a string of triumphs in various Cup triumphs which, coincidentally began on the 1st September 2001.

It was spring day 2001 when Chiefs came into full bloom defeating Mamelodi Sundowns to win the BP Top Eight Trophy. The top eight triumph was followed up with a 5-0 trashing of Jomo Cosmos in December 2001 in the Coca Cola Cup Final, later that same month Chiefs won their first continental crown when they won the African Cup winners Cup.

Five years ago at around about this same time, in fact two days before the attacks in the US, on September 9th 2001 Chiefs played host to Egyptian club Ismailia in and African winners Cup better known as the Mandela Cup ¼ Final match at Ellis Park.

Although the game ended 0-0 the Egyptians threw up their hands as they though they had already obtained their passage into the semi finals. A shock lie in wait for them as The Amakhosi held them to a 1-1 draw in the return leg a week later in Egypt to win the tie on the away goals rule and moved on to face Tunisian outfit Clube African in the semifinal.

Chiefs easily disposed of the Tunisians with a 3-0 aggregate score line and moved into the final where they overcame Ugandan team Inter Clube Luanda by two goals to one on aggregate. This after the first leg ended 1-1 in Luanda and Chiefs managed to win the return leg by a goal to nil with a late Patrick Mabedi penalty winning it for Chiefs at Ellis Park.

After Chiefs triumph in the Cup Winners Cup they ended a memorable three month spell with their third trophy in as many months resoundingly beating Jomo Cosmos by a 5-0 score line in the final of the Coca Cola Cup.

For their troubles and effort by winning The BP Top Eight title, Coca Cola Cup and the African Cup Winners Cup, The Amakhosi were handed the ultimately accolade by the Confederation of African Football. As Chiefs were named as the 2001 African Team of the year a fitting accolade for a team coming out of the realms of a tragedy and for bringing joy to their fans, as the world was going through a period of uncertainty and unheralded fear.

Chiefs triumphs back in 2001 demonstrated that one could always turn to sport, to bring one solace and joy during a time when there seems to be no hope in the world.