Wandile Duba double gives Kaizer Chiefs winning start under Fernando Da Cruz

Kaizer Chiefs began the Fernando Da Cruz era with a convincing 3-1 victory over Betway Premiership newcomers Kruger United at a packed Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night, with substitute Wandile Duba scoring twice after half-time.

The result gave Amakhosi maximum points from their opening match under the French coach and sent them to the top of the league table. Flavio Silva had put Chiefs ahead early, before Khethukuthula Ndlovu restored Kruger United’s belief with a superb equaliser just before the interval.

United’s goal ensured Chiefs went into the break facing a more difficult second half than they might have expected. However, Duba’s introduction proved decisive as the substitute struck twice to settle the contest and secure a positive start for Da Cruz and his newly assembled technical team.

There was a brief sense of possibility for the home side after Ndlovu’s goal, which arrived at the stroke of half-time and gave Kruger United encouragement following Silva’s early opener. Chiefs responded strongly after the interval, though, and eventually turned their attacking pressure into a clear victory.

The Frenchman was appointed to replace Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, the co-coaches who guided Chiefs to a third-place finish in the league. Da Cruz made no changes to the Glamour Boys’ starting line-up for his first match in charge, but he showed faith in two young players who had not regularly started under the previous coaching team.

Mfundo Vilakazi and Luke Baartman were both given starting opportunities, and each played an important part in the win. Vilakazi created the opening goal for Silva, while Baartman was named Man of the Match for his contribution to Chiefs’ performance.

Chiefs approached the game with notable speed when moving forward and made effective use of their chances in front of goal. That efficiency helped them recover from the setback of conceding before half-time and ultimately ensured they returned to Johannesburg with the result they wanted.

For Da Cruz, the emphatic scoreline provided an ideal beginning to his tenure. The victory also offered early encouragement that the younger players in the squad can make an impact, while Duba’s second-half brace gave the visitors the cutting edge needed to overcome a determined Kruger United side.

The night therefore ended in celebration for the new coach and his technical staff, with Chiefs claiming the early advantage at the top of the Betway Premiership table.