Golden Arrows knock Kaizer Chiefs out of MTN8
Golden Arrows knocked Kaizer Chiefs out of the MTN8 when they edged them 1-0 in a quarterfinal match played at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Abafana Bes’thende will now meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the competition and they will be away in Pretoria in the first leg of the two-legged round.
Amakhosi dominated ball possession in the first half, but they were unable to turn those into goals with decision-making in the final third being the major problem for the home team. slot-chickenroad.org
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo was the villain for Fernando da Cruz’s side in the first 45 minutes after the left-footed midfielder wasted two great chances to put Chiefs in the lead.
Lebohang Maboe was the first Chiefs player to take a shot at goal in the 27th minute, but his long shot went wide of goal.
Two minutes later, Ngcobo wastes a glorious chance for Chiefs as he shoots over the crossbar from close range.
Wandile Duba then hit the side-netting in the 34th minute following another nice build-up from Chiefs as they looked for the equaliser.
Seven minutes later Mfundo Vilakazi also shot wide of goal after a nice combination with Luke Baartmam, who looked lively on the left side of the Chiefs attack.
Arrows maintained their 1-0 lead at the break.
Amakhosi continued to dominate ball possession in the second half, but just like the first stanza were guilty of wasting good chances.
It was Abafana Bes’thende who eventually took the lead in the 52nd minute through Khulekani Shezi who pounced on a loose ball to beat Brandon Petersen in Chiefs goal.
Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz made a couple of chances in an effort to change the complexion of the game and introduced new recruit Langelihle Phili and the former Stellenbosch FC winger had a chance to grab the equaliser for Amakhosi in the 70th minute, but his shot went narrowly wide of goal.
Thabiso Monyane also saw his shot go narrowly wide of goal in the 88th minute as Chiefs continued to pile the pressure on Arrows in search of the equaliser.
When substitute Mduduzi Shabalala shot over the crossbar for Amakhosi on the stroke of full-time, the writing was on the wall that Chiefs were going to bow out of the MTN8 and that is what happened.
Another All Black ruled out of tour
The All Blacks have suffered a second injury setback on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
Centre Billy Proctor fractured his shoulder blade during New Zealand’s 38-21 victory against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night and will return home.
The 27-year-old will not require surgery but is expected to be sidelined for 10 to 12 weeks.
The All Blacks have yet to confirm who will replace Proctor in the squad.
Coach Dave Rennie may be tempted to call up flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who is eligible for selection again having made two appearances for Canterbury in the NPC after returning to New Zealand from Japan.
Hooker George Bell was ruled out last Monday after suffering an injury at training, prompting the call-up of Bradley Slater.
The All Blacks face the Sharks at Kings Park on Tuesday, before taking on the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
TEAM: All Blacks big guns take aim at Sharks
Photo: Esa Alexander/Reuters
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PSL 2026/27 Season Preview: A New Campaign Kicks Off
PSL 2026/27 season preview. The wait is over — South Africa’s top flight returns on Saturday 1 August, and the 2026/27 Premier Soccer League season promises another gripping nine months. Can Orlando Pirates back up their title triumph? Will Mamelodi Sundowns roar back to reclaim the crown they’d made their own? And can Kaizer Chiefs finally turn a rebuild into silverware? Here’s your matchweek-one preview and the storylines to follow.

The Title Race
Orlando Pirates go into the season as reigning champions, and they’ll be determined to prove last term was no fluke by mounting a serious title defence. Standing in their way, as ever, are Mamelodi Sundowns — for so long the benchmark of South African football, and certain to be fiercely motivated to reclaim the top spot they’d grown used to. Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, will be desperate to close the gap on their Soweto rivals and end their own long wait for a league crown. Watch the likes of Stellenbosch and SuperSport United push for the top four.
The New Boys
Every season the promoted clubs add fresh intrigue, and this year that falls to Kruger United and Milford, stepping up to the top flight. Survival is the immediate goal, and a bright start can settle nerves quickly — while a slow one piles on pressure early. How the two newcomers adapt to the step up in intensity will be one of the season’s early sub-plots.
Opening Weekend
The season opens with a full programme on Saturday 1 August. Here’s how the headline matchweek-one fixtures shape up (kick-off times SAST — reconfirm on the day):
| Fixture | Note |
| Orlando Pirates v Milford | Reigning champions Pirates open their title defence at home |
| Kaizer Chiefs v Kruger United | Chiefs begin against newly-promoted opposition |
| Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants | Sundowns start their bid to reclaim the crown |
What to Watch This Season
- The title race: Can Pirates back up their crown, or will Sundowns reclaim the top spot they’re used to?
- The top-four fight: Continental qualification is fiercely contested — expect several clubs in the mix.
- The relegation scrap: The promoted teams and last season’s strugglers will be desperate to bank early points.
Our View
Pirates have shown they can go the distance, but Sundowns will be relentless in their pursuit of the title they lost, and a fast start from any of the big guns could set the tone for the whole campaign. One thing’s certain: with derbies, cup runs and a packed fixture list ahead, there’ll be plenty to follow every single week.
READ ALSO: PSL Matchweek 2 Preview



