Kaizer Chiefs’ Carling Knockout tie with TS Galaxy carries greater weight than Soweto derby

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz faces a pivotal week after the club’s early-season setbacks left Tuesday’s Carling Knockout meeting with TS Galaxy as an important test before Saturday’s Soweto Derby.

Chiefs were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Zambian side Red Arrows on penalties, losing the shootout 3-2 and failing to reach the group stage. It was the first major disappointment of Da Cruz’s tenure, with the Frenchman appointed to improve on the work of Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

The two co-coaches guided the Soweto giants into the Confederation Cup group stage last season and secured a third-place finish in the league. However, the club’s decision-makers considered that return insufficient and opted against renewing their contracts.

Da Cruz has since overseen Chiefs’ exits from both the MTN8 and the Confederation Cup. Their league position has also increased the pressure, with Amakhosi nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and facing a difficult challenge to break into the top two, currently occupied by Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs require 41 points from their remaining 22 league matches to better last season’s total of 54 points.

Cup competitions offer Chiefs a route to silverware

The Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup remain the club’s two available opportunities to win domestic knockout honours. The Carling Knockout campaign begins on Tuesday at FNB Stadium against TS Galaxy, with the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates following at the weekend.

Although the derby is likely to attract greater attention, the Galaxy fixture could have the more immediate effect on Chiefs’ season. Another negative result could damage confidence in the dressing room and leave Da Cruz facing difficult discussions before Saturday’s meeting with Pirates.

Da Cruz was upbeat on Friday and suggested that the quick return to action could help his side make the adjustment required after the Confederation Cup disappointment.

“The next game in the Carling Cup is the most important, so we must prepare to qualify for the next round,” he said.

“We must not put pressure on the players,” added the 54-year-old tactician.

Da Cruz believes a sustained level of intensity can help Chiefs turn their results around.

“If we continue to play with character and intensity, the luck will turn on our side, and we will win more games,” he said.

“We are only in October, and it is the beginning of the season, and there are a lot of games, so we must continue to work.”

Chiefs will play TS Galaxy on Tuesday before taking on Orlando Pirates on Saturday.