Da Cruz urges Kaizer Chiefs to show more character after defensive concerns

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says his side must develop greater personality and mental strength after conceding two goals in consecutive matches.

Amakhosi secured a 3-2 victory over Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday night, but Da Cruz was concerned by the manner in which his team allowed the visitors back into the game after dominating large parts of the opening period.

Kaizer Chiefs had drawn 2-2 with Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium two weeks earlier, their previous match before facing Siwelele. The result against Siwelele extended a run in which the club have conceded seven goals in six matches this season – five in the league and one in the MTN8.

Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba scored for Kaizer Chiefs, while their third goal was recorded as an own goal by Siwelele goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu. The goal came after Faiz Abrahams’ well-delivered free-kick deflected off Xulu’s head.

Da Cruz believes correcting the team’s defensive problems will require more than technical work on the training ground.

“The first step is to make match analysis and to correct the technical side but it’s not only that, I think also it [the rate at which they’ve been conceding] depends on the spirit and the mentality of the players. They need to have personality on the field to avoid conceding like this,” Da Cruz stated.

The coach felt Kaizer Chiefs had controlled the first half and created enough opportunities to establish a commanding advantage before the interval.

“In the first half we were very good in possession. We created a lot of chances but we were not strong enough inside the box and normally we need to come back to the dressing room with two or three goals more than the opponent,” Da Cruz said.

Despite taking a two-goal lead at one stage, Kaizer Chiefs were unable to turn their superiority into a comfortable win. Da Cruz said his players became anxious as soon as Siwelele scored for the first time.

“Then we scored our second goal but directly after Siwelele scored their first goal we were worried and on the defensive part it was not good. We scored again but since the first goal of Siwelele we were worried on the field,” Da Cruz stated.

The French coach also highlighted the contrast between his side’s dominance and Siwelele’s efficiency in front of goal. He said Kaizer Chiefs had enough control and chances to deserve the points, but were punished whenever the opposition reached the penalty area.

“To conclude, we deserve the three points if you look at all the games but our regret is that the opponent came two times into our box; they scored two times, so they have 100% success.”

Kaizer Chiefs will next face Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.