Da Cruz hails Kaizer Chiefs’ squad depth after Sekhukhune United win

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz praised the strength and mentality of his squad after his side beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory gave Chiefs back-to-back wins in the Betway Premiership, with the Soweto club producing a controlled display to take all three points.

Da Cruz was particularly pleased with the result because Chiefs are currently managing a sizeable injury and fitness list. The French coach said seven players are either injured or not yet ready to return to full physical condition.

“I’m very happy with the squad at my disposal at the moment, but we have seven players injured or out of physical condition, at the moment, so maybe in one month or a month and a half, I will have more information about the squad,” Da Cruz said when asked about his options for the season.

The absences have required the Chiefs manager to make changes to his starting line-up early in the campaign. However, the performances of those brought into the team have strengthened his belief that the squad can cope with the demands ahead.

Chiefs and Sekhukhune United were closely matched during a goalless first half, with neither side prepared to give the opposition much room to operate. Da Cruz said the opening period was shaped by the tactical approach of both teams.

At half-time, he urged his players to take greater risks and show more freedom in attack. That adjustment helped Chiefs find the goals they needed after the interval and secure the win.

“During the first half it was quite tactical, with two teams not willing to offer space to the other team – and at half-time I asked the team to play with freedom moving forward in attack, so I’m very happy,” he said.

The result also demonstrated the importance of squad rotation as Chiefs negotiate a demanding early-season schedule. Da Cruz made several changes, but said the players who came into the side maintained the team’s standards.

“We were successful, we scored goals, we played three games in six games, so I needed to make changes, and these players kept up the level of the team so I’m very happy with the mindset of the team,” he said.

For Da Cruz, the response of his players has been an important positive during a period when the squad is not yet at full strength. The coach’s remarks also highlight the value he places on competition for places, with Chiefs expected to manage a busy campaign across domestic competitions.

The Frenchman indicated that the picture around the squad should become clearer over the next month to six weeks, as injured and unfit players continue their recovery. Until then, Chiefs will rely on the depth that helped them overcome Sekhukhune United and claim consecutive Betway Premiership victories.