Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has expressed dissatisfaction with the playing surface at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Red Arrows, pointing to the pitch as a challenge for the style of football his team wanted to play.

The result left Chiefs needing a response in the second leg after the Zambian side secured victory through Alassane Diarra’s 76th-minute header. The goal came from a corner, giving Red Arrows an important advantage in the tie.

Da Cruz said the condition of the field did not suit Chiefs’ approach, particularly their effort to build and develop their preferred style of play. He explained that the surface was not favourable to the team’s model, although he praised his players for adapting to the circumstances.

“It was not a field to our advantage… to develop our model game,” Da Cruz said.

His comments placed the playing conditions among the difficulties Chiefs faced during the match. However, the coach did not use the pitch to explain away every aspect of the defeat. He also acknowledged that his side had failed to make enough of its opportunities in front of goal.

Asked about Chiefs’ inability to score, Da Cruz was direct in his assessment, admitting that the team lacked efficiency. That problem proved costly as Red Arrows found the breakthrough late in the contest and held on to their lead.

For Chiefs, the defeat highlighted two areas that will need attention ahead of the return fixture: improving their attacking output and finding a way to impose their preferred style despite the conditions. While the team managed to adjust to the surface, the lack of a goal meant it could not turn that adaptation into a positive result.

Diarra’s header also underlined the importance of set pieces in a closely contested game. Red Arrows made their opportunity count from a corner, while Chiefs were unable to produce an equalising goal before the final whistle.

Despite the setback, Da Cruz expressed confidence that Kaizer Chiefs could turn the tie around in the second leg. His optimism suggests that the coach believes the contest remains within reach, but the team will need a more clinical performance if it is to recover from the first-leg loss.

The return match will give Chiefs an opportunity to respond on the field. For now, Da Cruz’s assessment points to both the conditions and the team’s finishing as factors in a defeat that leaves the South African club with work to do.

Source: https://x.com/a_b_ditlhobolo/status/2111736921709785299?s=46