Kaizer Chiefs turn focus to TS Galaxy after Red Arrows exit, says Da Cruz

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz says the quick return to action will help his side recover from their CAF Confederation Cup disappointment as they prepare for two important domestic matches.

Amakhosi were knocked out of the competition by Zambia’s Red Arrows on penalties on Friday night. They now face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday, before meeting arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a high-stakes Soweto Derby on Saturday.

Da Cruz believes the demanding schedule can benefit his players by forcing them to move on quickly from the continental exit and concentrate on their next challenge.

“It’s very good to play quickly, because we play quickly, we can switch directly on the next game,” said Da Cruz.

The coach said the Carling Knockout Cup tie must be the immediate priority, with Chiefs aiming to secure a place in the next round.

“So, in my mind the most important is the next game against [TS Galaxy] in the Carling Cup because every time the most important game is the next one,” he said.

“So, we must prepare now to be qualified for the next round in the Carling Cup.”

The Frenchman also urged his players not to feel excessive pressure after the defeat by Red Arrows, pointing to Chiefs’ performance during the match as a source of encouragement.

He said the team’s display deserved careful analysis, particularly because Chiefs had controlled much of the game and created several opportunities despite failing to progress.

“When we win or when we lose, we must analyse very well the game [against Red Arrows] and when you analyse this game today [Friday], it is very clear that we dominated all the game, we created a lot of chances, it is the positive,” he added.

Da Cruz stressed that his key players should continue in the same direction rather than be burdened by the result, insisting that the team had shown it was progressing.

“And now the most important thing is that we don’t put pressure on this type of players [key players] because they must continue on this way,” he said.

“We are on the good way because everyone has seen the game today.”

Chiefs must now recover before Tuesday’s Carling Knockout Cup meeting with TS Galaxy, with the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates following four days later.