Da Cruz says Kaizer Chiefs’ game model is working before Soweto Derby

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says his side remain confident in their approach after a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy sent them into the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.

Wandile Duba scored a hat-trick on Tuesday night, ending Chiefs’ four-match winless run in domestic football and giving them momentum ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Da Cruz believes his team have produced stronger performances this season without receiving the same reward.

“The difference is efficiency,” Da Cruz told SuperSport after the match.

“Today we made a good game, but sometimes we made a better game, and we didn’t win and I hope that now it’s the starter for us to keep confidence and we continue on this way.”

Duba’s three goals secured Chiefs’ place in the next round of the competition, but Da Cruz said the result was particularly important because it reflected improved finishing rather than a fundamental change to the team’s style.

“We’re having confidence in our model game but not in the efficiency and I hope we get ready and since this evening, we’re going to recover and we will prepare the game for this Saturday,” he added.

Chiefs now face a Pirates side also carrying strong form into the derby. Orlando Pirates have recorded consecutive 3-0 victories in the past few days, one in the CAF Champions League and the other in the Carling Knockout.