Musa Bilankulu, co-coach of Golden Arrows, stated that his team was prepared to tackle the challenges brought forth by Kaizer Chiefs, particularly their dependence on full-backs for offensive plays.
Bilankulu highlighted that Chiefs players like Mfundo Vilakazi, Mdu Shabalala, and Wandile Duba often choose to cut inside instead of opting for crosses, which results in greater involvement from their full-backs.
Furthermore, Bilankulu expected issues for Chiefs defenders Njabulo Blom and Bradley Cross—who was recently acquired from Arrows—in keeping pace with Arrows’ wingers, Siyanda Mthanti and Angelo van Rooi.
Arrows skillfully capitalized on these anticipated weaknesses, clinching a 1-0 victory over Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. This marked Arrows’ first win at the venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against their Soweto competitors.
The pivotal goal was netted by Gladwin Shitolo, who seized a rebound off Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
This success was a significant milestone for co-coaches Bilankulu and Kagiso Dikgacoi since they took over from Mabhuti Khenyeza last month.
“Their four-at-the-back setup enabled their full-backs to push forward,” Bilankulu explained from a tactical perspective after the match.
“Initially, they placed either Mfundo Vilakazi or Wandile Duba wide alongside Shabalala, who are not prone to crossing. This positioning resulted in their full-backs advancing, creating chances for our wingers during our transitions from defense to attack.
“This arrangement likely made it difficult for Bradley Cross to handle Siyanda Mthanti in one-on-one situations, while Njabulo Blom would struggle to deal with Angelo van Rooi.
“Even after transitioning to three at the back, they still left vulnerabilities in their formation. We had to make calculated tactical decisions, aware that they might overwhelm us during the first half. Nonetheless, we were ready to exploit counter-attacks and capitalize on their flaws.
“By applying pressure, we pushed them to reconsider their strategies, as teams must adjust despite their established setups. We remained dominant in our playing style, forcing them to adapt.
“We anticipated their strategy to overload the midfield with players like Shabalala and Vilakazi executing short runs. However, this inadvertently created spaces behind their lines that we could exploit.
“We recognized that sustaining a high press could expose us to counter-attacks, requiring a high defensive line. Should they breach our press, we needed to be prepared to cover those gaps. I had confidence that Cross would struggle against Mthanti, and likewise, Blom would find it difficult with van Rooi.
“We pinpointed these weaknesses, particularly in their midfield overload that rendered them vulnerable.”
In reaction to Arrows’ tactical strategy, Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi made changes at halftime. Njabulo Blom was substituted for Reeve Frosler, and Ranga Chivaviro replaced Tebogo Potsane (who had been positioned on the left) in an effort to refine their approach. However, these adjustments did not deliver the expected outcomes.
The victory lifted Arrows to fifth place in the Betway Premiership table, accumulating 18 points from 12 matches. Notably, Arrows had collected 20 points at the same juncture last season before enduring a six-match losing streak.
