Da Cruz calls for red card as Chiefs lose Soweto Derby to Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz questioned the officiating after his side’s 2-1 defeat by Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday afternoon, claiming Pirates’ goal may have been offside and that the Buccaneers should possibly have received a red card.

The result was Chiefs’ first defeat of the season in the Premiership. It came only days after the Amakhosi had beaten TS Galaxy 3-0 in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout.

Chiefs made a positive start at FNB Stadium but were unable to maintain their momentum. Da Cruz said the team’s younger players lacked the experience required to manage a match of such importance, allowing Orlando Pirates to take control during the closing stages.

“The analysis is very easy, in the first half we must kill this game, normally two-three zero because goal of Pirates we still have to review it was offside and maybe there’s a red card so if we score two or three goals we kill this game,” Da Cruz told SuperSport after the match.

The French coach, who was in charge of Kaizer Chiefs for his first Soweto Derby, felt his side should have made their early advantage count instead of leaving the contest open.

“In the second half, in the last 20 minutes with our young players – you have a lack of experience – they don’t create chances because they have a lack of experience we give them more chances to score more goals,” he added.

“They created nothing, we offered them the offensive transition.”

Da Cruz also sought to put the performance in the context of Chiefs’ team selection. The Amakhosi were without five injured players, while the coach said fatigue affected them during the final 20 minutes.

Despite the defeat, he praised the effort of a young squad playing without several senior options available to them.

“I’m very happy about the team because we’re a young team, we missed five players- five injured players as well and play as we made today, I want to congratulate the players,” Da Cruz said.

“In the last 20 minutes we were tired but I want to congratulate the players one more time.”