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. mieszalniakolorado.pl

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.

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 27^th 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 34^th 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 52^nd 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 70^th minute, but his shot went narrowly wide of goal.

Thabiso Monyane also saw his shot go narrowly wide of goal in the 88^th 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.

Rassie Erasmus praised Cameron Hanekom’s rapid growth at No 8 for the Springboks, though the head coach was quick to point out that Jasper Wiese remains first choice.

The 24-year-old Hanekom starred in Saturday’s 17-10 win over Los Pumas in Argentina, scoring a try in his third Test and second start in the green and gold.

Wiese started three of South Africa’s first four matches this year, but the 2023 World Cup winner did not make the trip to Buenos Aires.

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Speaking ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Erasmus named his back-up options for Wiese, and he acknowledged post-match Hanekom’s rising stock among those vying for a spot at the back of the scrum.

“Jasper Wiese is clearly our No 1 at 8,” the Bok boss said. “Cameron played well against an Argentinian team that knocked us over a few times, so it’s lucky to have another option there.

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“I thought Elrigh Louw did well at stages, and obviously we’ve got Pieter-Steph du Toit and Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi’s coming back and André Esterhuizen can play at 8, and Marco van Staden played at 8 for us. It’s lekker to have those options.

“We’ll try and pick the 23 that we think can beat New Zealand. But definitely, Cameron has started to settle nicely in the team.

“He’s starting to be calm, understanding what we’re trying to do, and he’s getting better every game.”

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Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images

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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.

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Photo: Esa Alexander/Reuters

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