Da Cruz targets fast start at Kruger United to launch Kaizer Chiefs’ title push

Fernando Da Cruz says Kaizer Chiefs must turn Saturday’s Betway Premiership opener at Kruger United into a statement victory if they are to back up his pledge to challenge for every trophy this season.

Amakhosi, buoyed by winning the preseason Toyota Cup on Sunday, begin their league campaign away to top-flight newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium (20:00) and the new coach is clear that the tone of the season will be set in Mpumalanga.

“Our ambition is to win trophies this season, for sure, because we are a big club with a big history. We have a lot of ambitions, but our first step is to start very well in the championship. After that, during the season, we will take [it] step by step to do our best and win trophies,” Da Cruz explained to the media after the Betway Premiership season launch in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Frenchman believes the Toyota Cup success has already created momentum that Chiefs must now carry into competitive action.

“We won the Toyota Cup and we are in a positive dynamic, players are confident and we want to spread these dynamics to improve our level and results.”

Pressure ‘no problem’ for new Chiefs boss

Expectations around Chiefs have grown following Da Cruz’s arrival and his public insistence that the club should again be competing for major honours.

The coach, however, insists he is comfortable with the scrutiny that comes with leading one of South Africa’s most followed sides.

“I know… I have been in pressure situations before and there is no problem for me,” he said.

“I’m used to managing the pressure around me and we need our fans behind us to push us to get the best results. Our fans are passionate. They love the club and my job is to make good decisions every day.

“We had a good feeling on Sunday with a lot of fans pushing us on the field.”

Da Cruz’s comments underline his belief that the club’s support base will play a crucial role as Chiefs look to translate preseason optimism into silverware over a long campaign.

Cautious approach over Dortley return

Away from the immediate focus on Kruger United, Da Cruz also addressed the fitness of defender Rushwin Dortley, who is nearing a return after an extended absence.

The centre-back missed the entire previous season due to a serious knee problem and has been restricted to recovery work for the past 18 months. He has now resumed ball work and light training but will not be rushed back.

“We have to be very careful with him because he hasn’t played in the last 18 months. It was a tough injury with two surgeries,” Da Cruz said.

“But we are managing him every day and every week. We will go step by step because we don’t want that when he comes back he will have another injury, so we have to be careful.”

Dortley’s gradual reintegration comes as Chiefs attempt to build a squad capable of sustaining a trophy challenge across all competitions, with Da Cruz stressing process as well as ambition.

For now, though, the coach’s priority is turning early-season promise into points when Chiefs face a Kruger United side making their first appearance in the Betway Premiership, in a fixture he believes can shape the rest of the campaign.