Da Cruz urges patience as Kaizer Chiefs fight to revive season

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has asked for time to rebuild the club, pointing to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain as examples of leading sides that endured lengthy waits before achieving major success.

Da Cruz is under increasing pressure after Chiefs extended their winless run to four matches. The sequence includes three successive league draws and a defeat in continental competition.

Chiefs must overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss to Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage playoff qualifier when the teams meet again at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

The result has left the South African club facing a difficult task in the return leg, with Da Cruz acknowledging that restoring Chiefs to their former status will not happen immediately.

“I will give an example with Arsenal – it took seven years with Mikel Arteta to win the Premier League title. It took 14 years for Paris Saint-Germain to win the UEFA Champions League after the Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) takeover,” Da Cruz said.

“So, when you want to build a project, it takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

Some supporters have already become frustrated with the team’s recent performances and are not convinced Da Cruz should be given more time. The French coach, however, said he would not be distracted by criticism as he continues to work on his plans for the club.

“Everyone is free to think what they want, but the most important thing for us is to focus on the project and continue developing the club,” Da Cruz said.

“Once again, everyone is entitled to their opinion – they are free to express it.”

Miguel keeps focus on football

Questions have also been raised about the atmosphere within the squad after reports suggested Da Cruz could be losing the dressing room.

Those concerns followed an incident in Ndola last weekend, where goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner and defender Reeve Frosler had to be separated after an on-pitch altercation.

One of the team’s captains, Inacioa Miguel, declined to comment on administrative or management matters, insisting that his attention remained on his responsibilities as a player.

“As a player, I am fully focused on the game, the 90 minutes, and training every day,” Miguel said.

“What happens on the side is not something I focus on. Out of respect for the club, I cannot speak about that. My focus is strictly on the game and what I can contribute to the team.”