Da Cruz rues missed chances as Chiefs surrender lead against Polokwane City

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz criticised his team’s finishing and defensive mistakes after they allowed Polokwane City to recover from a one-goal deficit and draw 1-1 in the Betway Premiership on Saturday.

Lebogang Maboe put Chiefs ahead in the 29th minute, but Polokwane City equalised in the 73rd minute to deny the visitors victory.

Da Cruz was particularly frustrated by the opportunities his side failed to convert after the interval, believing Chiefs had created enough chances to settle the match.

“We scored only one goal and did not create a cushion. Then we made mistakes and conceded. As against Richards Bay, we lost two points today,” Da Cruz told the media after the game.

“We created three or four chances to score in the second half.”

Chiefs had also been unable to turn their dominance into a decisive advantage against Richards Bay, and Da Cruz felt the same pattern had been repeated in Polokwane.

The coach was also unhappy that Chiefs were not awarded a second-half penalty. He said footage appeared to show an infringement involving Mmodi, while also referring to an incident involving Polokwane goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and Adolf.

“We have also seen the footage. There was a penalty in the second half because Mmodi was on the line,” Da Cruz said.

“He said the goalkeeper saved one shot or something, and there was also the head of Adolf. We needed to create a cushion.”

Da Cruz acknowledged that Petersen had been required to make two important saves in the first half, but said Polokwane created little after the break apart from the goal that earned them a point.

“It is disappointing because they had good chances in the first half, when Brandon made two very good saves. But after that, they had nothing,” he said.

The Chiefs manager had warned his players about Polokwane City’s threat from set pieces and crosses, making the manner of the equaliser particularly frustrating.

“We knew they were very good at set pieces and very good with crosses, but when we concede this type of goal, we can be disappointed,” Da Cruz added.

Petersen under further scrutiny

The draw also adds to the pressure on goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, whose form has come under question after a series of costly mistakes this season.

Petersen enjoyed a very good campaign last term, but errors have contributed to dropped points against Mamelodi Sundowns, Richards Bay United and Polokwane City.

He was also criticised after Chiefs’ MTN8 quarter-final defeat by Golden Arrows, increasing concerns over the goalkeeper’s confidence and consistency.