Kaizer Chiefs' return to the MTN8 after a two-year absence ended almost as soon as it began, with Golden Arrows winning the quarter-final 1-0 at FNB Stadium on Sunday evening to reach the semi-finals.
Khulekani Shezi settled a cagey contest eight minutes into the second half, and the manner of the goal will trouble Amakhosi more than the result itself. Shezi collected the ball on the right, drove into the box and sent in a low cross that nobody got a touch on. Brandon Petersen, standing a couple of metres off his line, was caught the wrong way and could only get a hand to it as it rolled inside his near post.
It was a soft way to lose a knockout tie, and a costly one for the Chiefs captain on a night his side had controlled almost everything except the scoreline.
Arrows happy to wait
The first half offered little. Fernando Da Cruz and Pitso Dladla both set up carefully, and neither defence was seriously tested. Chiefs' clearest opening came early, when a quick exchange around the area released Luke Baartman close in, only for Edward Maova to close the angle and smother.
Arrows were content to concede possession and defend their shape, and it worked. Denied space between the lines, Chiefs were reduced to shooting from distance, with Lebohang Maboe twice threatening from outside the box without forcing a save of any real quality.
Da Cruz turned to new signing Langelihle Phili just after the hour with his side chasing the game, and the former Stellenbosch winger gave Amakhosi a directness they had lacked. Maboe went close again late on after linking with him, but Maova held firm.
A costly night for Amakhosi
Chiefs had arrived in good order. They opened their Betway Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win over newly promoted Kruger United, and Da Cruz has been visibly reshaping the side into something quicker and more aggressive than the version that finished third last season.
None of it counted for much here. Chiefs remain the most successful club in the competition's history with 15 titles, but the wait for a 16th stretches into a twelfth year, and the search for silverware goes on.
For Arrows, who finished sixth last season and drew their opening league fixture 0-0 with Chippa United, it is an early statement under Dladla, who took charge in the off-season following Manqoba Mngqithi's departure. Having lost both league meetings with Chiefs 1-0 last season, Abafana Bes'thende picked the right night to reverse the scoreline.
They join Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United in the last four, with the two-legged semi-finals to follow later this month and R10 million waiting for the winner.
