Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has explained some of the challenges his team faced during their 1-0 defeat to Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup, highlighting a lack of aggression in the first half and difficult playing conditions in Zambia. The Soweto giants suffered the narrow loss in the second preliminary round first-leg encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The result left Amakhosi with work to do ahead of the return fixture, where they will need a stronger performance to keep their continental campaign on track. Although Chiefs struggled to impose themselves during the opening stages, Da Cruz saw some improvement after the interval and remained confident that his players could respond at home. His comments offered insight into the tactical and physical difficulties that affected the team’s performance against the Zambian side.

Da Cruz was particularly critical of Kaizer Chiefs’ first-half display, admitting that his players failed to show the aggression required to compete effectively in important moments. The French tactician explained that his team struggled to establish itself in the physical contests that often determine the rhythm of tightly contested matches. “We played a tough first half with no aggression. We were not there inside the dual,” Da Cruz told the media after the game. His assessment suggested that Chiefs found it difficult to win individual battles and gain control of the contest during the opening period. Against an opponent playing on home soil, that lack of intensity made it harder for Amakhosi to establish their preferred style and create meaningful attacking opportunities.

The Chiefs coach acknowledged that his side performed better in the second half, although the improvement did not translate into enough clear chances to change the outcome. According to Da Cruz, the players showed a better response after the break, suggesting that the team adjusted its approach as the match progressed. However, creating opportunities remained a problem for the Soweto club, which ultimately failed to find an equaliser. “In the second half, it was better. We didn’t create a lot of chances, but we made a better second half,” he explained. The comments highlighted an important concern for Kaizer Chiefs, as improved possession or intensity means little if the team cannot turn that progress into goals.

Another challenge identified by Da Cruz was the condition of the pitch at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The coach indicated that the playing surface did not suit the footballing approach his team wanted to implement, making it more difficult for Chiefs to develop their usual style of play. “About the field, it was not a field for our advantage. It was not a very good field for us to develop our model game,” he said. Pitch conditions can influence passing accuracy, ball control, movement and the speed at which a team builds attacks, particularly when players rely on combinations through midfield. For a side attempting to impose a structured tactical approach, an unfamiliar or difficult surface can require adjustments in decision-making and execution.

Despite raising concerns about the pitch, Da Cruz also made it clear that his players had a responsibility to adapt to the circumstances. He acknowledged that the team had responded to the conditions, even though the overall result did not go their way. “But we must adapt, we must play with the conditions and the players adapted very well to the conditions,” the coach added. His remarks reflected the balance between recognising external difficulties and accepting the demands of continental football, where teams regularly face different environments and playing surfaces. Kaizer Chiefs will need to apply that lesson in future away fixtures, ensuring that tactical flexibility and physical commitment remain part of their approach regardless of the conditions.

The decisive moment against Red Arrows came from a set piece, with Chiefs conceding after a corner. Da Cruz pointed to the nature of the goal when discussing the narrow defeat, explaining that his team had allowed the opposition to score from a situation that could have been defended more effectively. “We conceded one goal on set pieces, on corner,” he said. Conceding from a corner can prove costly in a match where scoring opportunities are limited, particularly when the team that falls behind struggles to create enough chances in open play. For Amakhosi, improving their defensive organisation during set pieces will be an important consideration as they prepare for the second leg.

The result also placed greater importance on Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking performance in the return fixture. While the first-leg defeat was narrow, the team will need to demonstrate greater urgency, improve its movement in the final third and make better use of the opportunities it creates. Da Cruz’s assessment of the first-half performance points to the need for stronger challenges, quicker reactions and more consistent intensity from the opening whistle. His comments about the limited number of second-half chances also underline the importance of improving the team’s attacking effectiveness. Against a Red Arrows side that has already secured a first-leg advantage, Chiefs cannot afford to rely on improved overall play alone. They must convert their efforts into goals while maintaining the defensive discipline needed to prevent another costly setback.

Nevertheless, Da Cruz remained confident that Kaizer Chiefs could overturn the deficit when the two teams meet again on home soil the following weekend. The coach stressed that his attention had already shifted towards preparing for the return encounter, showing that the team intended to focus on the opportunity still available rather than dwell on the disappointment in Zambia. “But until now, we are focused on the second leg and our game at home because we know that we are able to win this second leg,” he said. His confidence provides a clear indication of the team’s immediate objective, although the players will need to deliver a more complete performance to achieve it. Playing at home could give Chiefs a familiar environment, but their progress will ultimately depend on how effectively they address the weaknesses exposed in the first meeting.

For Kaizer Chiefs, the defeat to Red Arrows serves as a reminder of the demands of the CAF Confederation Cup and the importance of performing consistently across both halves of a match. Da Cruz has identified several areas that require attention, including first-half aggression, attacking creativity, adaptation to difficult pitch conditions and defending set pieces. The improvement he observed after half-time offers some encouragement, but the limited number of chances created remains a concern ahead of the decisive return fixture. Chiefs now have an opportunity to respond in front of their home supporters and demonstrate that they can translate tactical adjustments into a stronger result. If Amakhosi can start with greater intensity, create more clear scoring opportunities and remain organised defensively, they will give themselves a better chance of overcoming the first-leg deficit and continuing their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.