Da Cruz hails versatile Duba after Kaizer Chiefs Toyota Cup win over Scottland FC

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has described Wandile Duba as “an interesting player” after praising the forward’s versatility in the wake of the club’s Toyota Cup victory over Scottland FC.

Mfundo Vilakazi scored the only goal of the match as Chiefs secured a 1-0 win at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday, with Duba deployed in a wide role as part of an attacking reshuffle.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Da Cruz, via an interpreter, highlighted Duba’s ability to operate across the front line and underlined how highly he values players who can adapt to multiple positions.

“He is an interesting player because he can play also like a winger and forward. So it’s very interesting. I like to have a squad of players who can play in different positions.

“So it’s not because today he played as a winger that next few weeks he can’t play as a forward or striker,” Da Cruz told the media.

The French coach’s comments come as he continues to shape his attacking options, with Duba among a large group of forwards and creative players competing for places.

Competition for attacking places

Duba, 22, is part of a crowded frontline group at Chiefs that includes match-winner Vilakazi as well as Mduduzi Shabalala, Pule Mmodi, Naledi Hlongwane, Asanele Velebayi, Luke Baartman, Flavio Da Silva, Ashley Du Preez and Etiosa Ighodaro.

Da Cruz’s emphasis on flexibility suggests that tactical fluidity will be a key feature of his tenure, with players expected to switch roles depending on the needs of each game.

The Toyota Cup win over Scottland FC offered an early glimpse of that approach, with Duba featuring out wide but being earmarked by his coach as someone who could just as easily be used centrally in the coming weeks.

While Da Cruz stopped short of outlining specific plans for Duba’s long-term role, his remarks made clear that the forward’s capacity to cover both wing and striker positions is likely to be central to how Chiefs structure their attack this season.