Fernando da Cruz vows Kaizer Chiefs will chase every trophy as four new attackers targeted

New Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says Amakhosi are aiming to challenge for every piece of silverware this season, with the club working to bring in four new attacking players before the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign kicks off.

The Frenchman has made clear that trophies are a priority at Naturena, insisting his side will approach every competition with the intention of winning it, while building a squad capable of sustaining a league title bid over an entire season.

“We will play every game to win,” said Da Cruz.

“The championship (Premiership) is a marathon, you will not win it in December or January. You have to be close to the other teams in March or April. There are also the different cups and we want to win every game and every trophy.”

Four attacking signings on the agenda

Da Cruz confirmed that Chiefs are in the market for four offensive reinforcements as part of a broader effort to refresh and diversify their attacking options.

Speaking at Chiefs Village on Friday, the 53-year-old explained that club management has been instructed to find players who can offer something different in the final third.

“There are four positions offensively,” he said.

“A striker, new wingers and an offensive midfielder. We have good profiles (already) but we asked management to get different profiles, so that we can play different football and be less predictable.”

The recruitment drive follows Da Cruz’s assessment of his squad during pre-season in Spain, and offers the clearest indication yet of the more varied and less predictable style he intends to introduce.

Lilepo set for exit as rebuild gathers pace

The expected arrivals are likely to be accompanied by departures, with Da Cruz confirming that DR Congo international Glody Lilepo is close to leaving the club.

The winger, who has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 56 appearances for Amakhosi, did not travel with the squad to Spain as talks over a move away from Naturena progressed.

“With Lilepo, there are other opportunities and management are hoping to release him, they are in discussions,” Da Cruz said.

Midfielder Thabo Cele has also been informed that he does not feature in the coach’s plans for the new season. Like Lilepo, Cele was not included in the pre-season tour squad, with Da Cruz indicating that he is seeking a different type of player in central midfield.

“With Cele, there are a lot of players in his position and I prefer other profiles, so for the moment he is not in our plans.”

Preparations continue ahead of Premiership opener

Chiefs’ build-up to the new campaign continues on Sunday when they host Zimbabwean champions Scottland FC in the Toyota Cup at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Da Cruz’s side will then begin their Betway Premiership season away to Kruger United on 1 August, by which time the coach expects further additions to have been completed.

But while recruitment is a central part of his early tenure, Da Cruz stressed that reshaping the squad is only one element of the task in front of him.

His wider objective is to return Kaizer Chiefs to the top of South African football and to re-establish Amakhosi as genuine contenders for honours in every competition they enter.