Da Cruz records modest start as Kaizer Chiefs coach after 10 matches

Fernando da Cruz has won three of his first 10 matches as Kaizer Chiefs coach, leaving him with a less impressive record than several of his recent predecessors.

The Frenchman reached the milestone during Chiefs’ 1-0 defeat by Red Arrows in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

That result means Chiefs have won only once in their past seven matches. They must now beat Red Arrows by a two-goal margin on Friday to reach the group stages.

Da Cruz’s opening 10 games have produced three victories, five draws and two defeats. The result in Zambia inevitably led to questions about the pressure surrounding his position.

“The pressure has been there since the first day,” Da Cruz said after the match.

“We are all under pressure every day and I put pressure on myself every day, so it is not a problem.

“But we just have a lack of efficiency, we must put more work when we attack.

“We just need to work on that, and it will turn on our side.”

Da Cruz’s record is not the worst among the coaches to have taken charge of Chiefs during the past decade, but it falls short of some of the stronger starts.

Ernst Middendorp won six of his opening 10 matches, although one of those victories came in extra time. He also suffered four defeats.

Giovanni Solinas recorded three wins, two defeats and five draws, while Steve Komphela began with four wins, one defeat and five draws. One of Komphela’s victories came after extra time.

Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze jointly recorded four wins, one defeat and five draws. One of those matches ended in a defeat on penalties.

Nasreddine Nabi’s first 10 games brought four wins, four defeats and two draws.

Cavin Johnson also won four times, alongside two defeats and four draws. One of those drawn matches was ultimately lost on penalties.

Molefi Ntseki had three wins, four defeats and three draws.

Arthur Zwane recorded three wins, three defeats and four draws, with one of the victories coming on penalties.

Stuart Baxter had the same overall record: three wins, three defeats and four draws, including a match lost on penalties.

Gavin Hunt’s opening 10 matches produced three wins, four defeats and three draws.

Chiefs’ immediate focus is on overturning the first-leg deficit against Red Arrows on Friday, with their place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages at stake.