Coach urges fans to rally behind struggling Chiefs ahead of decisive home leg

As pressure continues to mount, Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz is convinced they’ll overturn the deficit in the second leg of the Caf Confederation Cup second preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday (6pm).

Zambian side Red Arrows outwitted Chiefs 1-0 at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday, stretching the Soweto giants’ winless streak to four games across all competitions, while also putting Da Cruz under serious pressure.

“We played the first half with no aggression; we also struggled in duels, but it was better in the second half. We didn’t create a lot of chances, but the second half was better,” Da Cruz said.

“We congratulate Red Stars. We conceded a goal from a set piece, a corner kick. Now our focus has shifted to the second leg at home because we know we are able to win that second leg.”

The Chiefs coach also bemoaned the state of the pitch, saying it didn’t allow them to “develop their model game”, albeit acknowledging that they should adapt to every situation.

“It wasn’t a field for our advantage. It wasn’t a very good field for us to develop our model game, but we must adapt; we must play in every condition,” Da Cruz said.

Da Cruz also said pressure is not something new, calling for unity and togetherness amid this difficult period at the club.

“We are under pressure every day, and we put pressure on ourselves every day, so it’s not a problem. We just lack efficiency; we must put in more work when we attack, and we will work on that, and it will turn on our side,” he said.

“I know that they [Chiefs fans] are not happy because in the PSL we don’t lose, but we don’t win as well, and today [Saturday] we lost, but there’s still a second leg. We need them at home to be behind us because we know that our team is able to win this game and qualify for the group stages.

“The most important thing in this type of moment is that we must be together as staff, players, management, fans and everyone to go through this period.”