Da Cruz demands more intensity from Kaizer Chiefs after Red Arrows defeat

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says his side lacked the aggression and intensity needed in their 1-0 CAF Confederation Cup defeat by Red Arrows in Zambia.

Chiefs conceded in the 76th minute at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, leaving them needing to overturn the deficit in Friday’s return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban if they are to reach the group stages.

Da Cruz was particularly disappointed by the South African side’s first-half display, when he felt they failed to compete strongly enough in individual battles.

“We played a slow first half with no aggression, we were not in the duels and in the second half it was better even though we didn’t create a lot of chances,” he said.

Chiefs improved after the interval but remained short of clear opportunities in front of goal. Red Arrows eventually took advantage of a set-piece situation to claim the only goal of the match and establish a narrow lead in the tie.

The result puts Amakhosi under pressure ahead of the second leg, although Da Cruz believes his team can still progress on home soil.

“We want to congratulate Red Arrows on the game. We conceded a goal via a set piece and now we’re focusing on the second leg at home because we know we are capable of winning the second leg.”

The Chiefs manager also identified the playing surface as a factor that made it harder for his side to carry out its planned approach.

“The pitch was not a good fit for us, it wasn’t good for the model of our game, the players adapted well to the conditions but it wasn’t the best.”

However, Da Cruz did not present the pitch as an excuse for the defeat. Instead, he accepted that Chiefs needed to address the lack of intensity in their performance.

“We are under pressure everyday, it’s not a problem for us but we just have a lack of intensity in our game and we just need to work on it and it will turn on our side.”

With only one goal separating the teams, Chiefs remain within reach of a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages. They must now produce a more aggressive and purposeful display in Durban to prevent their continental campaign from ending at the qualifying stage.