Kaizer Chiefs had a special visitor this week when Darryl Shaw, owner of US women’s soccer team Tampa Bay Sun, attended the Betway Premiership match between Amakhosi and Polokwane City at FNB Stadium.

Shaw, who was born in South Africa and now lives in Florida, is in the country visiting family and friends. His team, which won their league last season, will begin their USL Super League season next weekend, while Chiefs have just kicked off their own campaign, having played two matches so far.

Shaw is a close friend of USL CEO, Alec Papadakis, whose brother Nick played alongside Kaizer Chiefs Chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung, at the Atlanta Chiefs and Denver Dynamos in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

During his stay, Shaw visited the Kaizer Chiefs Village, where he was given a detailed tour of the facilities and an audience with the Chairman.

“The team spent three very generous hours showing me around all parts of the Village and visiting the store, where I bought a fair amount of merchandise,” Shaw said, adding, “I was able to sit down with the very gracious Chairman to talk about his days playing for the Atlanta Chiefs. He told me about the history of how he started Kaizer Chiefs, and I’m very thankful for that opportunity to spend time with him and meet his children.”

The visit also sparked conversations about the growth of the women’s game, a topic close to Shaw’s heart. While women’s soccer continues to expand rapidly in the United States, Kaizer Chiefs recently launched their women’s football project in partnership with Springs Home Sweepers.

“Women’s soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States and I’m sure that it is also spreading elsewhere around the world,” Shaw said, “We would be very interested in collaborating, whether it means a visit or player exchanges. I look forward to working with Kaizer Chiefs in the future.”

Shaw praised Amakhosi’s commitment to giving young female players opportunities and drew parallels with his own vision for the game.

“We particularly wish you the best with the partnership and integration with the women’s team. It’s a wonderful addition to the Club. I grew up idolising the men’s team, and young girls growing up need the opportunity to have role models and opportunities. I think it will help them in their development.” he concluded.