Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz is already facing some staunch criticism from Amakhosi fans. Is he on borrowed time?

Da Cruz’s head is on the chopping block

After just eight games of the new Betway Premiership campaign, Kaizer Chiefs are already trailing leaders Sundowns by nine points, and Orlando Pirates by eight. They’ve only triumphed in one of their last seven clashes across all competitions. With just a solitary piece of silverware in the last 10 years (a Nedbank Cup triumph in last year’s final against Pirates), it’s difficult to escape the conclusion that Chiefs are horribly underachieving, given their fanbase and huge financial might. If results don’t improve quickly, it’s easy to envisage a situation where Da Cruz is sacked before Christmas. If they’re out of contention for CAF Champions League football, that should be the final nail in his coffin.

Frustrations boil over

There was reportedly a heated exchange between Reeve Frosler and Renaldo Leaner in the aftermath of the 0-1 defeat to Arrows, perhaps indicating that all is not well in the dressing room. Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe looked to be a cohesive midfield pairing, but with both out injured, Da Cruz has tinkered with both his systems and playing personnel. Usual right-back Reeve Frosler has been selected alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa in front of a back three, and it hasn’t worked.

Kaizer Chiefs are struggling again

The Glamour Boys have now drawn five of their last six Betway Premiership outings. They’ll aim to claw back a 1-0 deficit when they meet Red Arrows in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round clash on Friday, 23 October at 18:00. After that, it’s a meeting with Orlando Pirates on 31 October at 15:30.