Golden Arrows’ defensive plan sends Kaizer Chiefs out of MTN8

Golden Arrows head coach Pitso Dladla says disciplined defending and collective organisation helped his side eliminate Kaizer Chiefs from the MTN8 at FNB Stadium on Sunday.

Khulekani Shezi scored the only goal of the match in the second half as Arrows secured a place in the semi-finals. They will now face Mamelodi Sundowns, while defending champions Orlando Pirates will play Sekhukhune United in the other last-four tie.

Dladla said Arrows had prepared specifically for the threat posed by Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking players and had worked on defensive situations throughout the week.

Speaking to journalists after the victory, he explained that the plan relied on each player winning individual battles while trusting team-mates to provide cover when required.

“Yeah, look, first thing first, you know, the defensive duties we work on in individual and tactical behaviour. We said, (Sbonelo) Cele if you are isolated, there’s (Luke) Baartman on your side, (Khulekani) Shezi if there’s Mfundo (Vilakazi) on your side or whoever, you must be able to dominate the whole operation. Win the 1v1s and then the cover will be provided, if need be, but if you are isolated, win the 1v1s,” Dladla told the media.

The coach was particularly pleased with the performance of his back four, as well as the midfielders who supported the defensive effort in front of them.

“I think they did this very well, and then also as a group the back four. We told them that look we are working as a group, if one needs to provide cover and have balance, let’s just do that. In front of them also, Nqobeko Dlamini, (Nhlanhla) Zwane and (Ayabulela) Maxwele they also did the shift very well. So defensive duties, honestly, it was not something that we only came here unprepared. We prepared for it in training, and then we created a lot of scenarios that we experienced here in training. Credit goes to the whole technical team.

Dladla said the introduction of Etiosa Ighodaro gave Kaizer Chiefs an additional aerial threat, forcing Arrows to adjust their approach and focus on preventing crosses into the penalty area.

“Another thing also when they introduced Etiosa (Ighodaro), we were also worried because aerially, he’s very good. So we said, let’s just close the crosses, of which we did that very well. But in terms of the technical team, we worked well together, all of us, everybody forms a very important piece in the puzzle, ” Dladla concluded.

Arrows’ victory means they have progressed to the MTN8 semi-finals after overcoming Kaizer Chiefs on their home ground. Their opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns, will now stand between them and a place in the final.

In the other semi-final, Orlando Pirates will meet Sekhukhune United as the competition’s remaining sides compete for a place in the MTN8 final.