Kaizer Chiefs face crucial October run as pressure mounts on Fernando da Cruz

Fernando da Cruz’s position as Kaizer Chiefs coach could come under severe pressure during the club’s remaining three fixtures in October, with meetings already held to address the team’s recent struggles.

The Frenchman has overseen three victories in 10 matches since taking charge, but Chiefs have won only once in their past seven games. Neither their results nor their performances have shown clear improvement on last season, when the team was led by Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

The Soweto club’s approach has also raised concerns, particularly because of the limited attacking emphasis in Da Cruz’s recent team selections.

In the past two matches, Thabiso Monyane, Inacio Miguel, Thabo Moloisane, Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Reeve Frosler and Sibongiseni Mthethwa were all named in the starting line-up. Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala operated behind Wandile Duba or Luke Baartman.

Chiefs now face a demanding sequence of matches across three competitions, beginning with their attempt to overturn a first-leg deficit in the CAF Confederation Cup.

They host Red Arrows on Friday after losing 1-0 in the opening match in Zambia last Saturday. Failure to progress would represent a setback compared with last season, when Amakhosi reached the group stage of the competition.

Their next fixture is against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, in the first round of the Carling Knockout. The competition provides Chiefs with an opportunity to challenge for silverware before Christmas, making the tie particularly significant for the Naturena-based club.

The month concludes with the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, October 31. Chiefs will be the away team for the match, which will also be played at FNB Stadium.

A defeat by Orlando Pirates would carry consequences beyond the usual three points at stake, given the importance of the derby to both clubs.

Da Cruz’s situation would become especially precarious if Chiefs were eliminated from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Carling Cup before then losing the derby. Such a run would leave the manager facing the most intense pressure of his time in the Chiefs job.

The club’s recent form has therefore placed added importance on the next three matches. Chiefs must first overturn the deficit against Red Arrows, then navigate their Carling Knockout meeting with TS Galaxy, before turning their attention to one of South African football’s most significant fixtures.