Da Cruz unsure whether Kaizer Chiefs can challenge for title

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz says he does not yet know whether his side can sustain a serious challenge for the league title this season.

Amakhosi will attempt to return to winning ways when they host Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night at 7.30pm. They drew their previous two league matches, against Polokwane City and Golden Arrows, before last month’s Fifa break.

Chiefs remain unbeaten in the league but are seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one match more.

Da Cruz believes his side have already shown they can compete with Sundowns in an individual match, having held them to a 1-1 draw at home earlier in the season. However, he says the greater challenge is maintaining that level throughout the campaign.

“We’ve seen at the beginning of the season that we can compete with Sundowns in one game because we competed well against them [by holding them to a 1-all draw at home], but our objective is to be able to compete for the entire season… to repeat that type of performance all season long,” Da Cruz said on Monday.

“For the moment, I don’t have the answer if we are able or not [to go for the title].”

Chiefs will be without three midfielders for the meeting with Stellenbosch. Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mtasingwa are all injured, leaving Sibongiseni Mthethwa as the only available defensive midfielder.

Thulani Mabaso and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo are also available, although both are more attack-minded options. Da Cruz said the club had prepared a plan to deal with the absences but did not reveal what it would be.

“We’ve prepared something for tomorrow. You will see tomorrow but the most important thing is to focus on the players that are available,” he said when asked how difficult it would be to manage without three key midfielders.

The Chiefs coach expects a demanding contest against Stellenbosch and is encouraged by the intensity shown by his players after returning from the international break.

“We know that it’ll be a tough game, but after giving our players a few days off, they have come back with a lot of intensity. We hope that it will be shown in the game,” Da Cruz said.

“We know that after a break it’s not always easy to come back with high intensity, but we’ve prepared well.”