Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has explained what went wrong after his team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Soweto giants travelled to Zambia hoping to secure a positive result, but they returned home empty-handed after conceding a second-half goal. The defeat has put pressure on Chiefs to deliver a strong performance in the return leg if they want to keep their hopes of progressing in the competition alive.

Speaking after the match, Da Cruz admitted that his team struggled during the first half and failed to show the aggression needed to compete effectively against their opponents.

“We played a disappointing first half with no aggression. We were not there inside the duels. The second half was better. We didn't create a lot of chances, but we made a better second half,” the French tactician said.

His comments suggest that Chiefs struggled to win individual battles and impose themselves on the game during the opening 45 minutes. Although their performance improved after the break, they were unable to create enough clear opportunities to find the back of the net.

Red Arrows eventually secured victory in the 76th minute when Alassane Diarra scored with a header from a corner kick. The goal proved decisive, leaving Chiefs with a narrow deficit to overcome in the second leg.

Da Cruz congratulated the Zambian side for their performance but remained confident that his team could respond when the two sides meet again in South Africa.

“I want to congratulate Red Arrows for the game. We conceded one goal on a set-piece through a corner. But until now, we are focused on the second leg, our game at home, because we know that we are able to win the second leg,” he said.

The Chiefs coach also identified a lack of efficiency in attack as one of the main problems his team must address. Despite showing some improvement in the second half, the players struggled to turn their attacking efforts into meaningful scoring opportunities.

Da Cruz believes his side must become more dangerous when moving forward and make better use of the chances they create.

“We just lack efficiency, and we must put more weight when we attack,” he explained.

Nevertheless, the coach remains hopeful that his players can improve their performances through hard work and preparation.

“But we just need to work on that, and it will turn in our favour,” he added.

Kaizer Chiefs must now focus on the return leg, where they will need to score and avoid conceding if they want to overcome Red Arrows. With home support behind them, the Soweto giants will be expected to produce a much stronger performance as they fight to keep their CAF Confederation Cup campaign alive.

Source; https://www.facebook.com/100089878196925/posts/1075369868802276/?app=fbl