JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 29 October 2026

Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung has delivered a strong message of support for head coach Fernando Da Cruz and his technical team, insisting that the club will not be run like a circus despite growing pressure over inconsistent results.

Motaung's comments come at a challenging period for Amakhosi, who have faced criticism from supporters following disappointing performances and their recent elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.

Despite the mounting frustration, the Chiefs hierarchy has maintained its confidence in Da Cruz, signalling that the club remains committed to its broader football project rather than making decisions based solely on short-term results.

Motaung Stands Firm Behind Da Cruz

Speaking about the coach's position and authority within the club, Motaung emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline, stability and clear leadership in the dressing room.

“My coach owns the change room, controls the change room. If you hear how people are fired in other clubs or whatever, we’re not in a circus game,” Motaung said.

His remarks underline the club's position that the head coach must be allowed to manage the players and implement his football philosophy without unnecessary interference.

At a club as prominent as Kaizer Chiefs, expectations are always high, and disappointing results inevitably lead to questions about the technical team's future. However, the management's latest stance suggests that the club does not intend to react impulsively to external pressure.

Recent Results Raise Questions

Da Cruz has experienced a difficult period, with Chiefs struggling to turn promising performances into consistent victories across competitions.

Their continental campaign ended painfully against Zambian outfit Red Arrows, who eliminated Amakhosi through a penalty shootout after the second leg finished 1-0 in Chiefs' favour, leaving the aggregate score level at 1-1.

The exit intensified calls from some supporters for changes to the technical team, placing additional pressure on the Frenchman to deliver improved results.

However, Chiefs' management has publicly reaffirmed its support for Da Cruz and his technical staff, citing their commitment to the club's long-term sporting strategy.

Victory Offers Fresh Hope

Amakhosi subsequently responded with a convincing 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout, with Wandile Duba scoring a hat-trick to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

The result provided a timely confidence boost ahead of their eagerly anticipated Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.

For Da Cruz, the challenge now is to build on that performance and demonstrate that the team can compete consistently at the highest level.

Motaung's message is clear: the coach retains authority over his dressing room, and the club intends to maintain stability while pursuing improvement.

Ultimately, performances on the pitch will determine whether that confidence is rewarded. For now, however, Chiefs' management appears determined to give Da Cruz the backing and breathing room needed to move the club forward.

Source https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2115774082037739936