Da Cruz demands Champions League standard from Chiefs for Sundowns test

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says his side must produce a performance of Champions League quality when they face reigning CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Chiefs have made an unbeaten start to their first two Betway Premiership matches, defeating Kruger United 3-1 before recording a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United. However, their next opponents represent a significant rise in quality, with Sundowns widely viewed as the benchmark in South African football.

Speaking to the media at Naturena on Thursday, Da Cruz acknowledged the scale of the challenge and called on his players and staff to improve their level if they are to compete with Ka Bo Yellow.

“As all the teams, we will make and analyse from this team, but you know that it will be a tough game. It will be from our squad, our technical staff also to grow up our level, to be at the same level and to make a Champions League game,” Da Cruz told the media.

The Portuguese-born coach’s message was one of respect rather than surrender. Chiefs recognise Sundowns’ quality, but Da Cruz wants his team to use the occasion as an opportunity to show how much they have developed under his management.

The match will be Chiefs’ toughest assignment since Da Cruz began life at Naturena. His league campaign has started positively, with victories in both of the club’s opening fixtures, although there was an early setback in the MTN8.

Chiefs were beaten 1-0 by Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals of that competition. That defeat highlighted the work still required by Da Cruz’s team as they attempt to establish themselves among the leading sides in South Africa.

Sundowns have had a less crowded opening to the campaign, playing only one Betway Premiership fixture so far. They began with an entertaining 3-2 victory against TS Galaxy.

They have also progressed to the MTN8 semi-finals after a closely fought 3-2 win over Polokwane City. That result has given the Tshwane club further momentum before the trip to FNB Stadium.

For Chiefs, the meeting provides an immediate measure of their progress under Da Cruz. Their two league victories have supplied confidence, but Sundowns’ status as reigning CAF Champions League winners means they will face a side accustomed to competing at the highest level.

Da Cruz believes Chiefs must therefore match the intensity and standard of the visitors, rather than rely solely on their encouraging start. The challenge for the home side will be to turn their early league form into a performance strong enough to withstand Masandawana on Saturday.