‘Receptive And Ready’: Da Cruz Believes Chiefs Players Are Accelerating Progress At Naturena
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz believes his players’ willingness to listen and embrace his ideas has helped the team make rapid progress since he took charge at Naturena.
The French coach has made a promising start to life at the helm of Amakhosi, with Chiefs yet to suffer defeat in their opening four Betway Premiership matches. The Soweto giants have recorded two victories and two draws, including an impressive stalemate against reigning African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, despite their unbeaten league run, Da Cruz knows there is still considerable work to be done if Chiefs are to compete consistently at the highest level.
Speaking about the progress made since his appointment, the coach highlighted the importance of having players who are willing to listen, learn and implement his ideas.
“The work is also about the group’s ability to listen,” Da Cruz said.
“We can send a message to the players, but if they don’t want to hear it, it becomes complicated. At the moment, we have a group that is receptive, which makes learning easier and perhaps allows us to progress a little faster.
“Nevertheless, we have made good progress, but we are still missing things. We still have significant room for improvement, and we need to become even better in the way we play.”
Chiefs’ strong start in the league has nevertheless been accompanied by moments of concern, particularly in their defensive organisation.
Amakhosi could arguably have collected maximum points from some of their matches, but costly mistakes at the back have allowed opponents to score avoidable goals.
Those errors were evident against Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-finals, where Chiefs were eliminated from the competition. They also conceded preventable goals against Sundowns and Richards Bay, highlighting an area Da Cruz will be eager to address as the season progresses.
Despite those shortcomings, the coach believes the overall environment at Chiefs has provided a strong foundation for development.
Da Cruz also praised the facilities and training conditions available to the team at Naturena Village, while crediting his players for maintaining a positive attitude and a serious approach during training.
“It’s a combination of factors,” he added.
“There are the conditions at the club, which they have put us in, and the facilities they provide us with.
“There is also the fact that we have implemented certain things with the players, and for now, things are going well, and they are in a good state of mind.
“Then there is the fact that the players are working seriously, in a good atmosphere, but with a lot of concentration, trying to achieve the best possible results.”
Amakhosi will have another opportunity to continue their development under Da Cruz when they host Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday in a Betway Premiership encounter.
With Chiefs unbeaten in their first four league matches, Da Cruz will be hoping his players’ willingness to listen, learn and improve can help them return to winning ways while maintaining their positive start to the campaign.
