Johannesburg-South African Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani has joined the rest of the South African football community in congratulating Kaizer Chiefs, who were crowned 2012-13 Absa Premiership champions on Wednesday (15 May 2013).

A 1-1 draw against Supersport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium was enough to hand the title to Amakhosi – which ended an eight-year league wait for the club.

The SAFA president said Chiefs should be commended for the manner in which they went about their business in winning the league title.

“On behalf of the South African Football Association, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kaizer Chiefs players, technical staff as well as their chairman Kaizer Motaung,” said Nematandani.

“You really worked hard for your victory while also keeping South African football fans entertained with your brand of football. Our national teams, especially Bafana Bafana will benefit immensely from some of the talent you discovered this season.”

Chiefs won the league after 29 matches, having lost just twice to Platinum Stars and Ajax Cape Town. They proved effective in the goal scoring department as they netted 48 times. The likes of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Bernard Parker, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Erick Mathoho, Siboniso Gaxa, Siphiwe Tshabalala and others have also been key members of the Senior Men’s National Team, Bafana Bafana. 

“We must also congratulate the other 15 teams who made this league as exciting and tough as it was. The supporters have also been amazing too and we want to commend them for this,” said Nematandani.

The league programme ends on Saturday (18 May) and the focus will turn to the Nedbank Cup final set for Saturday, 25 May.

“Finally we would like to wish Nedbank Cup finalists Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United well in the final. May the best team win,” he said.