“We Know How We Want To Play”: Da Cruz
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz believes his players are beginning to embrace a clear playing identity and established game model after Amakhosi produced an encouraging performance in their Betway Premiership opener against Kruger United on Saturday.
The French coach was speaking after overseeing his first league match in charge of Chiefs, which came a week after his side lifted the Toyota Cup with victory over Zimbabwean outfit Scottland FC.
While Da Cruz stressed that there is still plenty of room for improvement, he said the players have already bought into the principles he introduced during pre-season, as Chiefs claimed a convincing 3-1 victory over the Mpumalanga-based side.
Da Cruz introduced Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Wandile Duba right at halftime. Mthethwa provided the defensive stability needed to neutralize Kruger’s number 10 (Ntsako Makhubela / Khethukuthula Ndlovu), while Duba delivered the winning brace in the 56th and 66th minutes.
Asked what he believes he has brought to Naturena since his arrival, Da Cruz pointed to the team’s clear football identity and tactical structure.
“Hard work – that’s what I’ve brought,” said Da Cruz.
“We’ve worked extremely hard, especially throughout pre-season. We have a clear playing philosophy and an established game model, with certain adjustments depending on the opposition.
“We know how we want to play, and at the moment, the players have fully embraced those ideas. I hope that continues, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Chiefs’ attacking display also marked an important milestone for the club, as Amakhosi scored three goals in an opening league fixture for the first time since the 2019/20 season, when they defeated Highlands Park 3-2.
That campaign saw Chiefs emerge as genuine title contenders before narrowly missing out on the league crown on the final day of the season.
Although satisfied with many aspects of his team’s performance, Da Cruz admitted Chiefs lost control during the closing stages of the first half after a bright start. Kruger United capitalised on that spell to draw level before the break, prompting the coach to make a tactical adjustment at halftime.
“The first thing is that the goal we conceded came from their only real chance, and they were also a little fortunate with the shot,” he said.
“The main problem during the final 15 minutes of the first half was that Kruger United positioned a number 10 behind our two holding midfielders, and that caused us problems.
“At halftime, I asked our midfielders to take turns tracking that number 10 more effectively because he was finding space behind them and putting us under pressure.
“We managed that much better in the second half, and as a result, they were far less dangerous.”
Chiefs will now turn their attention to the MTN8, with the Betway Premiership taking a one-week break after the opening round of fixtures. Da Cruz’s side will face Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals as they look to continue building momentum under their new coach.
