Kaizer Chiefs coach Da Cruz rues missed chances after Soweto derby defeat to Orlando Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz believes his side missed a golden opportunity to secure victory against Orlando Pirates after suffering a 2-1 defeat in Saturday’s Soweto derby.

The Amakhosi suffered a disappointing loss at the FNB Stadium, with Da Cruz pointing to their inability to convert clear-cut opportunities in the first half as a major factor behind the defeat.

The French tactician was particularly frustrated with his team’s lack of clinical finishing, insisting that Kaizer Chiefs should have put the contest beyond their opponents before the break.

According to Da Cruz, his players had enough opportunities to score two or three goals in the opening half but failed to capitalise on their dominance.

He also questioned the decision surrounding Orlando Pirates’ opening goal, arguing that it appeared to have been scored from an offside position, while suggesting that the opposition could also have received a red card during the encounter.

“In the first half, we must kill this game. Normally, 2 or 3-0 because the goal of Pirates, we’ve seen it’s offside and maybe there is a red card as well. If we score two or three goals, we’re gonna kill this game,” Da Cruz said, as quoted by SuperSport TV.

The Chiefs manager further identified his team’s lack of experience as a contributing factor to their struggles in the closing stages of the match.

Da Cruz explained that the younger players struggled to manage the pressure during the final 20 minutes, allowing Orlando Pirates to create dangerous opportunities while his side failed to respond with meaningful attacking threats.

“In the second half, the last 20 minutes, with our young players we have a lack of experience. They don’t create chances because we have a lack of experience, we give them chances to score more goals,” he added.

The defeat was another frustrating outcome for Kaizer Chiefs, who had hoped to claim bragging rights against their fierce Soweto rivals and strengthen their position in the Betway Premiership title race.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, capitalised on their opportunities to secure all three points, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the decisive goal in the 55th minute after Yanela Mbuthuma and Pule Mmodi had found the net for their respective sides.

The result leaves Kaizer Chiefs fifth on the league standings with 14 points, while Pirates remain second with 25 points from nine matches, just one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Da Cruz will now be hoping his players learn from the derby disappointment as they look to return to winning ways and keep their ambitions alive in the domestic campaign.