15 Facts On South African Soccer History

Soccer started decades ago in South Africa. To others it is only becoming popular now, but to our great-grandparents, it has been there for a while and till this day they still enjoy watching it and it is known as the most popular sport in the world.

Here are facts on South African history.

1862- The first documented football matches in South Africa where played in Cape Town and P.E.
1879- Pietermarizburg country football club was established.(whites only).
1880-African and Indian soccer clubs were active in Durban and Johannesburg.
1892-The whites- only South African Football Association (FASA) was formed.
1898-The Orange Free State Bantu Football Club toured England, becoming the first South African team to play in Europe.
1910-The FASA joined FIFA, the first association from outside of Europe to do so.
1937-Orlando Pirates Football Club was formed.
1944-The African National Congress sponsored the first soccer match at the Bantu Sports Club.
1947-Moroka Swallows was formed.

1959-The National Football League was launched as the countries first entirely professional club league.
1965-Moroka Swallows won their first national championship.
1979-Kaizer Chiefs signed a major sponsorship with Premier Miling Company.
1995-Orlando Pirates won the African Champions Cup.
1996-South Africa Hosted the first African Cup of Nations.

There you have. The history of South African football.