For about four seasons Golden Arrows held bragging rights over The Amakhosi as the only team in the PSL not to have lost a home league game to Chiefs, since they joined the elite ranks of South African Football in the 2000-01 season.

All that changed during the 2005-06 season when Ernst Middendorp took over at the helm of Chiefs, The Amakhosi recorded their first victory over Arrows in a league encounter in Durban. They did it in style in an emphatic 3-1 victory at a wind swept ABSA Stadium in September 2005, Chiefs followed up that victory with a 2-1 win over the Lamontville outfit in December 2005.

Although the significance of these two victories went largely unnoticed, they were important psychological hurdles that Chiefs needed to pass over. Indeed it was the first time in six seasons that one or the other team had been able to achieve victory in both league games. While Chiefs have had to wait some time to record their first league win over Arrows in Durban, it has been a different tale altogether in Cup Competitions.

Chiefs and Arrows first came face to face in a Cup game back in 2002 when they clashed in the ¼ Finals of the Coca Cola Cup, on a day when current Kaizer Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mkhonza opened the scoring for both teams. He had the indignity of scoring an own goal which gave The Amakhosi the lead, after the hour mark he then levelled matters for Arrows, his team at the time, before Kabamba Musasa closed off the game with a goal later on.

Two years on and it was easier for The Amakhosi as they dominated play with ‘man of the match’ Arthur Zwane, sporting a new Afro hairstyle gave Chiefs the lead in the opening fifteen minutes. Lucky Sibeko then added his name to the score sheet ten minutes later,.Chiefs dominance of the game told in the second half when Zwane turned provider as Collins Mbesuma sent Chiefs into the semi finals with a goal three minutes into the second half.

Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp is well aware of Chiefs record against Arrows in Cup matches and his personal achievements against the Lamontville team. The Chiefs top man does not like to read much into history. “When Chiefs defeated Arrows previously in Cup matches the dynamics of the games were different and we cannot win a game based on history. Our preparations for the game need to be spot on and we have to ensure that Chiefs keep on playing like we did in the second half of the semi final against Sundowns,” added Middendorp.

He is also not affected by the fact that since his arrival Chiefs have had an upturn in fortunes against Arrows as he said, “it is not about Ernst Middendorp winning games - it is about the guys coming out and producing the performance that will help us win the matches. Any coach is pleased to get the best out of his players, if we are as effective attacking and defending the way we did against them last season then I am confident we can repeat those results”.

Although Arrows will miss the tactical acumen of the wise Alton Meiring, they still do possess in Mabhuti Khanyeza a fine striker with an excellent eye for goal. Khanyeza is generally fed by a fast running midfield possessing the likes of Lucky Sibeko, who currently has the record of the most capped Arrows player. Alongside Sibeko there is in Mlungisi Gumbi a strong player who wins a lot of ball in the centre of the park. Other Arrows danger men come in the form of brothers Richard and Joseph Henyekane with the former playing in midfield and the latter a tough no nonsense defender.

Chiefs coach Middendorp is aware of the threat posed by the strong Arrows midfield “we know what there strengths in this department are, they have some good young experienced midfielders. We are not fearful of them but we are wary of the trouble they can give us. When we beat them in December there were times in that game when there midfielders were really taking us through the mill - we will guard against this”.

Tickets for the SAA Supa8 encounter between Arrows and Chiefs are currently available at a cost of R20, nationwide and are available at Checkers- Shoprite outlets nationwide as well as Computicket. Supporters in the Johannesburg area could also visit The Amakhosi Store on Gandhi Square in Rissik Street in the Johannesburg CBD, as tickets are available there as well.

Chiefs Vs Arrows Cup games since 2002

2002 Coca Cola Cup ¼ Finals


October 30th 2002


ABSA Stadium Durban


Golden Arrows 1 (Mkhonza 68 min) Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Mkhonza 13 min o.g, Musasa 79 min)

2004 Coca Cola Cup Last 16


October 24th 2004


ABSA Stadium Durban


Golden Arrows 1 (Sibeko 24 min) Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Zwane 14 min, Mbesuma 48 min)

  



P    W    L    GF   GA	



Kaizer Chiefs	2    2    0    4    2



Golden Arrows	2    0    2    2    4

Ernst Middendorp’s record as Coach against Golden Arrows

PSL


September 2005


ABSA Stadium Durban


Golden Arrows 1 (Khanyeza) Kaizer Chiefs 3 (Djiehoua, McCarthy, Moshoeu)

PSL


December 2005


FNB Stadium Johannesburg


Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Chalwe, Motaung Jnr) Golden Arrows 1 (Khanyeza)

(PSL ONLY)

P    W    D    L    GF    GA    GD    PTS



Chiefs	2    2    0    0    5      2    3     6



Arrows	2    0    0    2    2      5    -3    0