Fernando da Cruz urges Kaizer Chiefs unity as Red Arrows deficit puts pressure on coach

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has called for unity at the club as his side attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Red Arrows in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie.

The decisive match will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday at 6pm, with Chiefs seeking to recover from defeat in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.

The result extended the Soweto club’s winless run to four matches in all competitions and increased the pressure on Da Cruz. Despite that, the coach believes Kaizer Chiefs can secure victory at home and reach the group stages.

“We played the first half with no aggression; we also struggled in duels, but it was better in the second half,” Da Cruz said.

“We didn’t create a lot of chances, but the second half was better. We congratulate Red Stars. We conceded a goal from a set piece, a corner kick. Now our focus has shifted to the second leg at home because we know we are able to win that second leg.”

Da Cruz acknowledged that his team had not performed well enough in the opening half, but said their display improved after the interval. He also criticised the condition of the pitch in Ndola, saying it made it difficult for Chiefs to play in their preferred way.

“It wasn’t a field for our advantage. It wasn’t a very good field for us to develop our model game, but we must adapt; we must play in every condition,” he said.

The coach said pressure was a constant part of his role and insisted that it was not an unfamiliar challenge for either him or his squad.

“We are under pressure every day, and we put pressure on ourselves every day, so it’s not a problem,” Da Cruz said.

“We just lack efficiency; we must put in more work when we attack, and we will work on that, and it will turn on our side.”

Kaizer Chiefs have also struggled to turn performances into victories in the PSL, where they have avoided defeat but have not been able to win. Da Cruz said he understood the frustration among the club’s supporters after Saturday’s loss, but stressed that the tie remained open.

“I know that they [Chiefs fans] 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’s still a second leg,” he said.

“We need them at home to be behind us because we know that our team is able to win this game and qualify for the group stages.”

Da Cruz ended by calling on everyone connected with the club to stand together during the difficult period.

“The most important thing in this type of moment is that we must be together as staff, players, management, fans and everyone to go through this period.”