The last time a game between Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows ended with a 3-1 scoreline

was almost four seasons ago when Arrows made their PSL debut in the 2000-2001 season.

On that occasion the mood in the Amakhosi camp was sombre, not tonight as Ernst

Middendorp’s charges easily disposed of the boys from Lamontville. The game kicked

off with a major wind blowing through the ABSA Stadium and most pundits would have bet on

arrows adapting easier to the conditions than Chiefs.

Ernst Middendorp stuck with his winning combination from Sunday and it paid off as

Chiefs did all the early running and directed most of the play.

For all the early running Chiefs were unfortunate not to have taken the lead in the

opening part of the game but had to wait until the 28th minute when Ivorian striker Serge

Djiehoua slotted home the ball to score his first goal for Chiefs. It was djiehoua’s

strength and space that gave the Arrows defence most problems with the burly striker

hitting out at an advertising hording from a missed chance moments before he scored.

Indeed Djiehoua continued to torment the Arrows backline and it was his lay off to the

hardworking Spencer whose shot was parried by Kakonje. From the resultant corner Chiefs

doubled the lead when Fabian McCarthy lurking at the far post pounced to score his first

goal of the season.

The second half saw Chiefs content with absorbing Arrows pressure and counterattacking

as the Amakhosi were now playing against the wind. Chiefs made certain of victory when

David Mathebula ran down the right and laid off the ball to Shoes Moshoeu who clinically

rolled the ball into the Arrows net. Mabhuti Khanyeza pulled a goal back for Arrows late

on but it was not going to blow wind over the Amakhosi’s achievements.

Chiefs technical staff sleep tonight with the knowledge that the defending

league champions are back on their perch. With Chiefs opponents on Sunday Sundowns

dropping points the Amakhosi will be ready to take three points from the Brazilians. With

their first PSL victory in Durban against Arrows Chiefs will be ready for the challenge

that awaits them on Sunday where the decimel levels at the FNB will most surely be lower

than what they were at the ABSA Stadium on Wednesday night.

Post Match Comments:

Kaizer Chiefs Coach Ernst Middendorp: “I felt that we played really well

tonight and that we could have and should have scored more goals. The result was historic

because we had never beaten them in Durban before and it was our first victory against

Arrows in two seasons.

"This all demonstrates that our team is focused and that the players are in a good

frame of mind, one can only congratulate his players in this instance and it is good to

see that some of the senior players are guiding the others along. Our attention shifts to

Sundowns and we must continue getting the right kind of results."

Golden Arrows Coach Kabo Zondo: “My team was less disciplined than Chiefs

and we paid for inept defending, Chiefs are demonstrating that they once again are making

winning a habit which is bad news for the rest of the league. We lost our unbeaten record

for the season which was sad if we had put up more of a fight maybe defeat would not feel

this bad.”

Kaizer Chiefs Star Player Derrick Spencer: “The coach gave me the liberty

to attack also which I enjoyed doing, we played really well and I think that Thabo Mooki

and I had a great understanding. When I attacked he covered for me and vice versa we are

showing that we can play well together and enjoy second we are on the field of play,

things are coming good for us and I think from here on in consistency is the key.”

Line-ups:

Golden Arrows


37 K Konje


4 B Mwanza


21 S Sangweni


2 T Mukinay


22 M Gumbi


6 P Zothwane


10 L Sibeko


7 T Mshengu


17 M Khanyeza


9 A Meiring


18 B Ratsoane

Coach: Khabo Zondo

Kaizer Chiefs:


1. R Fernandez


34. D Obua


2. J Tau


5. D Mabedi


6. F McCarthy


28. D Spencer


11. E Ngobese


12. T Mooki


18. A Zwane


31. D Radebe


9. S Djiehoua

Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Substitutions:

Arrows: Out, 40 min 10 L Sibeko , In, 23 R Henyakane Out 69 min 6 P Zothwane, In 8

Phakati Out 79 min 9 A. Meiring, In 16 Sithole

Chiefs: Out 68 min 18 A Zwane, In 91 J Moshoeu Out 69 min 9 S Djiehoua, In 24 D

Mathebula Out 80 min 6 F McCarthy, In 44 S Mkhonza

Cautions:


Arrows: 61 min Sangenyani Yellow


Chiefs: 43 min Spencer Yellow, 52 min Ngobese Yellow

Referee: V Nhalpo


Assistant 1: M Phale


Assistant 2: G Piedt


Fourth official: Y Vawda