Da Cruz urges unity as Kaizer Chiefs seek to overturn Red Arrows defeat

Fernando da Cruz has called for unity at Kaizer Chiefs as the club attempt to recover from a difficult run and overturn a 1-0 defeat by Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Chiefs have won just one of their past seven matches, increasing concern among sections of the club’s support over the direction of the team under the French coach.

Their latest setback came on Saturday in Ndola, where Red Arrows secured a narrow victory. Kaizer Chiefs managed only one shot on target, with Da Cruz’s approach offering little attacking creativity.

Thabiso Monyane, Inacio Miguel, Thabo Moloisane, Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Reeve Frosler and Sibongiseni Mthethwa started the match. Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala played in support of Luke Baartman.

Asked what message he had for supporters frustrated by the team’s recent results, Da Cruz acknowledged their concerns but said the club could still progress in the competition.

“We know that they are not happy because in the PSL we don’t lose but we don’t win as well.

“And today (Saturday), we lost but there is a second leg, and we need them at home to be behind us for us to win and qualify.

“What is most important in this type of period is that we need to be together as staff, management, players, fans, and everyone to go through this period because after this period we will have better results,” says Da Cruz.

Kaizer Chiefs will have home advantage in the second leg, which will take place on Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Da Cruz accepted that improvements would be required in attack after his side struggled to create opportunities in Zambia. He said the lack of chances was unusual compared with Chiefs’ performances in domestic competition.

“For sure, we need to change something to create more chances.

“Normally, we create more chances in the PSL, and it is the first time that we didn’t create a lot of chances, so we need to analyse and afterwards we need to change somethings to be able to qualify,” says Da Cruz.

The result leaves Chiefs needing to win the return fixture to keep their CAF Confederation Cup campaign alive. Their coach believes the second leg provides an immediate opportunity to respond, but has stressed that players, supporters, management and staff must face the current period together.