Kaizer Chiefs boss Fernando da Cruz demands defensive improvement after Siwelele win

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz criticised his team’s defending despite their 3-2 victory over Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership on Sunday evening.

The Soweto club returned to winning ways after goals from Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba helped them overcome a Siwelele side still waiting for its first victory of the season.

Chiefs created numerous opportunities during the match, but Da Cruz was unhappy with the way they managed those chances and with the space they allowed their opponents in the defensive third.

“In the first half, we created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score enough and in the second half we had two chances and score two goals, so we have an issue about that,” Da Cruz told SuperSport after the game.

The Chiefs manager said his players must become more efficient in both penalty areas, while also accepting greater responsibility for limiting the opposition’s opportunities.

“We need to work a lot on our defensive part to not give chances to the opponent.”

Although Chiefs did enough to claim the win, Da Cruz felt the performance exposed weaknesses that could prove costly in future matches. His assessment focused not only on missed chances but also on a perceived lack of authority and composure among the players defending the team’s back line.

The coach said the contrast between the two halves illustrated the issue. Chiefs had created several openings before the interval without converting enough of them, while they were more clinical after the break by scoring from the two chances he identified.

“We created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score so after that you can make mistakes because you’re not enough killer in the two boxes as either offensively and defensively,” he added.

Da Cruz’s comments suggested that the result alone had not resolved his concerns. While the victory ended Chiefs’ immediate wait for a win in the Betway Premiership, the coach believes the team must improve its organisation and mentality at the back.

The manager particularly questioned the leadership within his defensive line, saying the players needed to show more character and personality when dealing with pressure.

“We have a lack of leadership, lack of character in our defensive line, a lack of personality in our defensive line so we need to correct that and work a lot.”

Chiefs’ success against Siwelele therefore came with a clear warning from their head coach. The attacking opportunities were sufficient to create a winning performance, but Da Cruz wants the side to be more decisive in front of goal and more disciplined when defending.

Siwelele remain without a win this season after the defeat, while Chiefs move forward from a result that restored their winning momentum but left their manager demanding significant defensive work.