“We Should Have 12 Points”: Da Cruz Fumes As Defensive Errors Cost Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz insists Amakhosi should be sitting comfortably atop the Betway Premiership table with a maximum 12 points after four matches. Instead, costly individual errors have severely damaged their momentum.
Amakhosi’s fragile defense was laid bare on Wednesday night as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
The trouble began in the eighth minute when Chiefs goalkeeper and captain Brandon Petersen suffered a lapse in concentration. His clearance was charged down by Richards Bay forward Nqaba Xulu, deflecting directly into the net.
Although Lebohang Maboe restored parity from the penalty spot 11 minutes later, Xulu punished Chiefs again before half-time by rising unmarked to head home from an easily avoidable corner kick.
Siphesihle Ndlovu ultimately rescued a point for Chiefs with a late second-half equalizer.
The lapses in Durban mirrored Chiefs’ recent 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns. In that fixture, Langelihle Phili put Chiefs ahead, but the defense failed to deal with a Grant Kekana long ball, allowing Cassius Mailula to sneak in and head home the equalizer.
Petersen was also at fault in their MTN8 quarter-final loss to Golden Arrows, coming off his line to leave an unguarded net for Khulekani Shezi’s winner.
Da Cruz, who took the reins during the off-season, expressed frustration over the repeated lapses:
“We should have been on 12 points, because against Mamelodi Sundowns we also made mistakes,” said da Cruz.
“So, we need to work hard and look forward to other matches. I have two different feelings; it is disappointing. But also, I’m happy with the performance of the team because they played well.”
“But these types of mistakes, we cannot make them at this level,” added da Cruz.
Despite the dropped points, Chiefs remain third on the Betway Premiership log with eight points from four matches.
They are set to host Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium next Sunday.
