Pitso Dladla reveals analysis plan behind Golden Arrows’ MTN8 win over Kaizer Chiefs

Lamontville Golden Arrows head coach Pitso Dladla credited the club’s analysts with identifying how to contain Kaizer Chiefs after his side reached the MTN8 semi-finals with a 1-0 quarter-final victory at FNB Stadium.

Khulekani Shezi scored the only goal eight minutes into the second half as the KwaZulu-Natal club produced a disciplined defensive display to secure a narrow win over Amakhosi.

Kaizer Chiefs struggled to create clear opportunities in the contest, with Golden Arrows’ defensive organisation preventing them from advancing close to the penalty area. That forced Chiefs to rely on attempts from distance, with Lebogang Maboe trying several times.

However, goalkeeper Edward Maova repeatedly demonstrated his quality to keep Chiefs from finding an equaliser and ensure Arrows progressed in the competition.

Dladla said the preparation carried out by the club’s analysts had helped his players understand how to deal with Chiefs’ attacking movements. Speaking to SuperSport TV after the final whistle, he also praised the way his defenders handled one-on-one situations.

“Yeah, look, we have our fullback Shezi and Cele everybody should be able to deal with 1v1 with l ones. You know, I think they dealt with that one very well, and also, I think Ronaldo and Aya also provided a good cover,” Dladla said.

The Arrows coach highlighted the importance of the cover provided when Chiefs players moved into central areas, particularly when Phili cut inside and Baartman had to decide whether to engage.

“You know, whenever Phili was cutting inside and deciding whether Baartman was taking on that, Ronaldo was always there. We worked as a group, but to be honest, that was picked up by our analysis.”

Golden Arrows’ defensive approach meant Chiefs were unable to turn possession into sustained pressure near the Arrows box. The home side’s efforts from outside the area ultimately failed to breach Maova’s goal, while Shezi’s second-half strike proved decisive.

The result leaves Golden Arrows through to the next stage of the MTN8, having eliminated Kaizer Chiefs in a closely fought encounter in Johannesburg.

Dladla’s comments placed particular emphasis on the collective nature of the performance. Although he singled out the work of the analysts and the contributions of individual defenders, he said the players followed the plan as a group to nullify Chiefs’ threat.

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