WeeklySA_AdminHISTORY: Amakhosi return to the season-opening competition determined to revive their proud cup tradition against Golden Arrows…
By Own Correspondent
Kaizer Chiefs will draw inspiration from their rich history in the Top 8 competition when they host Lamontville Golden Arrows in an MTN8 quarter-final at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 6pm.
Amakhosi are the tournament’s most successful club, having lifted the trophy 15 times since making their first appearance in 1972. But it has been 12 years since their last triumph, and new coach Fernando Da Cruz will be hoping to begin his tenure by moving a step closer to a record-extending 16th crown.
Chiefs return to the MTN8 after missing the competition for the past two seasons. They qualified after finishing among the top eight teams in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership.
Their campaign also comes with early-season optimism after a 3-1 league victory over newly promoted Kruger United last weekend. That result provided an encouraging start under Da Cruz and gave the Soweto giants momentum ahead of their first home fixture of the season.
Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen believes their absence from the MTN8 has added to the players’ determination. “Kaizer Chiefs should be competing for this trophy every season, and I think our absence has given us extra motivation to do well this time,” the goalkeeper said.
“We are looking to hit the ground running and hopefully go all the way.”
Golden Arrows, who qualified after finishing sixth last season, are unlikely to make Chiefs’ return straightforward. Petersen described Abafana Bes’thende as a well-organised and tactically disciplined team capable of frustrating their opponents.
History, however, favours the hosts.
The clubs have met 51 times since the 2000/01 season, with Chiefs winning 29 matches, Arrows 15 and another 12 ending in draws. Amakhosi have also won four of the six cup meetings between the sides.
Their only previous encounter in the Top 8 competition took place at FNB Stadium in August 2006. Chiefs won 2-0 through goals from debutant Siyabonga Nkosi and David Obua before going on to lift the trophy, then known as the SAA Supa8.
Chiefs defeated Moroka Swallows in the semifinal and SuperSport United in the final that season.
The Soweto side also completed a league double over Arrows last season, winning both matches 1-0. Flávio Silva scored the winner in the away fixture, while Aden McCarthy decided the home encounter. Chiefs’ association with the Top 8 stretches back more than five decades. Their first match in the competition came in 1972, when they defeated Real Morning Stars 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Aerial “Pro” Kgongoane scored the club’s first goal in the tournament.
Amakhosi progressed to the final that year but were beaten by Orlando Pirates. They did not have to wait long for their first title, defeating Pimville United Brothers in both legs of the 1973 final — 3-2 and 3-0.
They later successfully defended the trophy in 1981 and 1982 and again won consecutive titles in 1991 and 1992.
During the PSL era, Chiefs have claimed four Top 8 crowns. Their first came in 2001/02, when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties. They again prevailed in 2006/07, beating SuperSport United in the final, before overcoming Sundowns on penalties in 2008/09.
Their most recent title was secured in 2014/15 when Tefu Mashamaite’s goal earned them a 1-0 victory over Pirates in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Chiefs returned to the final the following season but were beaten 1-0 by Ajax Cape Town, now Cape Town Spurs. They have not reached another MTN8 final since.
Da Cruz will now attempt to follow in the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Philippe Troussier, who guided Chiefs to a 3-2 victory over Sundowns in the 1994 BP Top8 final during his first season in charge.
Victory over Arrows would not secure the trophy, but it would take Amakhosi into the semifinals and provide an important early indication that Da Cruz may be capable of restoring the club’s once-formidable reputation in knockout football.
