Kaizer Chiefs showing progress under Fernando da Cruz, says Zitha Kwinika

Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika believes the club have made significant progress under new head coach Fernando da Cruz and says their improved performances are a result of the team adapting to a new tactical approach.

Da Cruz and his coaching staff took charge before the start of the season, replacing interim co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

Chiefs have won two of their first three league matches this term and drawn the other. Their only defeat so far came in the MTN8 quarter-final, when they were beaten by Golden Arrows.

Kwinika, a long-serving member of the Amakhosi squad, says the early results and performances point to a team that is developing in a different direction from last season.

“The team is coping well with the new coaches. I think we have proven in the games we’ve played that we are a different team compared to last season. The style of play and the structure show that there’s improvement,” Kwinika said.

“There are new tactics and we are trying to get to a certain way of playing that we enjoy. We are getting better as a team.”

Chiefs return to league action against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm.

The match will be their first since they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium almost two weeks ago. Despite the quality of that result, Kwinika believes the meeting with Richards Bay carries even greater importance because of the points he feels Chiefs must secure.

Richards Bay, known as the Natal Rich Boyz, have been identified as a difficult opponent, but Kwinika says Chiefs have prepared specifically for the challenge and are focused on producing a winning performance.

“Bay are always difficult to play against. We respect them, but we have our plan. We know what to expect from them and, trust me, we’ve been preparing very well for them. This season we are on a different mission of saying the games where we need to collect points are games like this. We must win these games,” said Kwinika.

The defender added that the mentality within the squad has changed under the new technical team, making Wednesday’s fixture a priority.

“The attitude has changed. This is a big game for us … bigger than the previous one [against Sundowns] because these are very important points for us.”

Chiefs will therefore aim to build on their unbeaten league start when they face Richards Bay, with Kwinika confident that the team’s new style and structure are beginning to produce visible improvement.

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