Makua criticises Da Cruz’s Chiefs selections after Soweto derby loss

Kaizer Chiefs legend Frank Makua has questioned Fernando Da Cruz’s team selections after Amakhosi suffered a 2-1 defeat by Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby.

Makua believes Chiefs had enough opportunities to settle the contest in the first half but failed to take advantage of them. He said Orlando Pirates then increased the pressure after the interval, exposing gaps in the Chiefs defence.

“It was a nice game, it was a game of two halves you know, Chiefs were supposed to bury the game in the first-half, they created chances but they could not punish them,” Makua told KickOff.

“The second-half, Pirates came in and put pressure on Chiefs. Chiefs’ defence had too many gaps and Pirates ended up scoring.”

The former Amakhosi midfielder was particularly critical of the decision to leave Rushwin Dortley on the bench. Dortley had returned from injury in Chiefs’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy, and Makua felt Da Cruz should have retained the defensive partnership that performed well in that match.

“I think so (Da Cruz got Dortley call wrong), because against Galaxy they played very well, why now change it? If it’s not broken you can’t change it,” Makua said.

“I was surprised to see him on the bench and the balance was not there between Miguel and Moloisane.”

Makua, who was known as ‘Disco’ during his playing career, also expressed doubts about Miguel’s performance and questioned the decision to use him alongside Aikhona Moloisane.

“For me, Miguel, Aikhona (No ways)! He’s got too many mistakes. At the back he (Da Cruz) got it wrong. I don’t know how, he was not supposed to play those two, the pairing was not good.”

He also believed Lebohang Maboe was not fully fit for the intensity of the derby. The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was included in the starting line-up, but Makua said his performance suggested he had not completely recovered from injury.

“Another player who did not perform on the day is Maboe, I don’t think he has fully recovered. You could see he was not 100 percent,” he said.

Makua felt Sibongiseni Mthethwa would have offered Chiefs greater influence in both phases of play.

“The guy who played is (Sibongiseni) Mthethwa, he was there when we were defending, as well as attacking, he was helping us a lot.”

Despite the defeat, Makua praised Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba for their contributions, especially before half-time.

“I was so happy also with (Mduduzi) Shabalala and (Wandile) Duba. Chiefs going forward they were playing, especially the first-half but the second-half we could not get it right,” he added.