Five-game winless streak fuels speculation around coach's future

Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior has reiterated the club’s faith in coach Fernando da Cruz amid growing pressure.

Da Cruz is under serious pressure after Amakhosi’s poor run culminated in them crashing out of the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Zambian side Red Arrows in the second preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday. Arrows beat Chiefs 3-2 on penalties after the game had finished 1-all. The Zambians won the first leg 1-0 in Ndola the previous Saturday.

Many club’s fans have called for the management to fire Da Cruz as Amakhosi have gone five matches without a win in all competitions, with four draws and a defeat.

However, Motaung has emphasised that the club still has faith in Da Cruz ahead of what will be huge week for the Soweto club, starting with a Carling Knockout first round fixture against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on Tuesday before facing their bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at the same venue on Saturday.

“As a club, we would like to reaffirm our full support for, and confidence in, the head coach and the entire technical team. They continue to have our trust as they lead the implementation of a football philosophy and development pathway that we firmly believe will bring sustainable success,” Motaung said in a statement.

“Their professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to improving the team every day remain irreproachable. The team is fighting hard every game to uphold a high standard of performance, and yesterday, despite the result and the injuries we carry, that warrior spirit was visible on the field.”

Meanwhile, Chiefs have since been linked with Manqoba Mngqithi after he left Tanzanian club Yanga on Saturday.