Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has criticised the condition of the pitch at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after his team lost 1-0 to Red Arrows in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Ndola, Zambia.

The defeat stretched Amakhosi's winless run to six matches in all competitions, which adds to the pressure on Da Cruz and his players before the return leg in South Africa. Chiefs must overturn the deficit at home if they want to keep alive their hopes of reaching the group stage for a second season in a row.

Da Cruz admitted that the surface did not suit the way his team likes to play. He insisted, however, that his players adapted to the conditions and that the pitch could not be blamed for the result.

He said Chiefs had prepared for Red Arrows' approach and expected the hosts to rely on long balls, crosses and energetic running to create chances. According to Da Cruz, his side was not surprised by those tactics and had control of much of the match. He believes the deciding moment came when Chiefs conceded from a corner kick.

Even though he was disappointed, Da Cruz will now turn his attention to the return fixture, where Chiefs will need a stronger performance to move through.

In a separate story, former Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has rejected claims that he earned R480,000 a month during his time at the club. He said his monthly salary never went above R200,000 and that no player at Chiefs earned R480,000 while he was there. Khune added that endorsement deals, including his agreement with Danone, and his investments made up a large part of his total income.

As Chiefs get ready for the second leg, Da Cruz faces the task of ending the winless run, restoring confidence and securing qualification. The match could be important both for his own future and for the club's ambitions in Africa.

https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-confederation-cup/da-cruz-slams-pitch-after-chiefs-defeat-in-zambia/