Fernando da Cruz says Kaizer Chiefs need maturity to match Orlando Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz says his side must develop greater maturity and experience if they are to compete consistently with Orlando Pirates after losing Saturday’s Soweto Derby 2-1 at FNB Stadium in Nasrec.

The defeat left Chiefs fifth in the Betway Premiership with 14 points, while Pirates moved into second place on 25 points, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs had periods of control, particularly during the opening 45 minutes, but were unable to turn their dominance into goals. Pirates punished their opponents’ mistakes, with Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi scoring to secure all three points.

Da Cruz was encouraged by the way his young team controlled the match against one of South Africa’s leading sides. However, the Frenchman admitted that attractive football and possession alone would not be enough to deliver consistent results.

“We must use this type of game to grow up and to reach the next steps. But the players must understand that we play well, we make good things, but it’s not enough. We must reach the next steps now,” Da Cruz said.

The Chiefs manager views experience as one of the main differences between his team and Pirates, who have shown greater consistency in recent matches. He stressed that the required development would come through training and competitive games rather than immediately.

“So we must continue to work, but it takes time. It’s not overnight that we can change directly the things.

“We cannot get experience from one day to the next day. It’s thanks to training, to many games, and we must continue to learn. With competitions of different levels.”

Although he identified weaknesses in Chiefs’ maturity and experience, Da Cruz praised the response of his players in the derby. He singled out the first half as evidence of the progress being made under his guidance.

“We have shortcomings in terms of maturity and experience, but I am very proud of the players and what they have shown today. It’s really the first half.

“For me, it was a masterclass in controlling the game.”

Da Cruz said Chiefs had demonstrated that they could dictate possession and set the tempo against strong opposition, even though they ultimately failed to take anything from the match.

“So one more time, we want to congratulate the players and he is very proud of what they made today. Against this team, we were able to control the game and the ball.”

The coach now wants Chiefs to convert those promising spells into regular performances and points. While the result went against them, he believes the derby can provide another valuable stage in the club’s ongoing development.

Referee Luxolo Badi was pictured with Kaizer Chiefs players during the 2-1 Betway Premiership defeat by arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday.