Fernando da Cruz Drops High-Demand Mandate At Naturena

Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz says success at the club will require everyone to pull in the same direction as he begins his tenure at Naturena.

Amakhosi said Da Cruz arrived in South Africa on Thursday and officially joined the team as preparations for the 2026/27 season gather momentum. He said Kaizer Chiefs has always held a special place in his heart.

The Frenchman replaces Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, who departed at the end of last season despite guiding Amakhosi to a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership and qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.

Da Cruz brings a wealth of experience, having spent the past two seasons as Technical Director of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

Based in Rabat, he oversaw the federation’s football structures, working closely with youth development teams, coaches and the senior national team, which has reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup currently being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“I’m very happy to be here,” said Da Cruz on Chiefs website.

“The club has always held a special place in my heart, and I’ve kept a close eye on its journey over the past two years. Kaizer Chiefs is a massive institution with passionate supporters and a proud history.

“My focus now is on building a strong connection with the players, instilling a winning mentality and working together to achieve the success our fans deserve. The journey ahead will demand hard work and unity, but I’m confident we will rise to the challenge.”

The squad has been in pre-season training for the past two weeks, with the technical staff maintaining continuity while Da Cruz completed his transition from Morocco.

“We would like to welcome Coach Da Cruz to Kaizer Chiefs,” said Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr.

“His arrival marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the club, and we look forward to seeing his vision take shape with the team. With the passion of our loyal supporters and the commitment of our players, we believe this partnership will bring renewed energy and success as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

The club added that Da Cruz met with the entire squad and staff upon his arrival and is eager to begin working with everyone involved in the team.