Kaizer Chiefs captain Miguel and Da Cruz refuse to be drawn into club’s crisis

Kaizer Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel has declined to discuss the role of the club’s management in the team’s recent decline, insisting his focus is on preparing for the decisive second leg against Red Arrows.

Chiefs have gone seven matches without a victory and face the prospect of an early CAF Confederation Cup exit after losing 1-0 to the Zambian side in last weekend’s second preliminary-round first leg.

The return fixture takes place in Durban tomorrow, with growing pressure on the club’s management and an increasingly unhappy fanbase.

Asked about the part Chiefs’ management may have played in the team’s struggles, Miguel said: “Listen, for me as a player, I am fully focused on the game, on the 90 minutes, on the training every day. Everything aside, it’s not my responsibility. I think, respectfully, we don’t speak about that subject.

“My focus is on the game and what we can do as a team. In terms of management, I have nothing to do with that – my focus is to help the team and get the victory as soon as possible.”

The mounting concerns at Chiefs have been amplified by the progress of their major rivals. Orlando Pirates and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns continue to widen the gap between themselves and the once-dominant Amakhosi.

Head coach Fernando Da Cruz has also faced criticism for an approach perceived as overly defensive. Responding to questions about the pressure surrounding the club, the Frenchman compared Chiefs’ situation with that of Arsenal and PSG.

Da Cruz, his technical staff and the players must overturn the deficit against Red Arrows if they are to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stages. Chiefs were already eliminated by Golden Arrows in the first round of the MTN8, meaning another early exit would create further pressure on Da Cruz and his technical team.

The coach said the group had arrived at Chiefs expecting to work under intense scrutiny.

Tensions within the squad were exposed after the match in Zambia, when goalkeeper Renaldo Learner became involved in a heated exchange with defender Reeve Frosler. Miguel attempted to play down the incident between the two players.

Da Cruz said he saw no reason to intervene or discuss the confrontation with either player, despite the exchange becoming a subject of discussion on social media.