French coach explains absence of midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and striker Khanyisa Mayo

Pressure is mounting on Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz after a recent run of mixed results, but on Thursday he put on a brave face ahead of their Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal against Siwelele FC on Sunday.

Amakhosi recorded just one win from their last seven matches in all competitions and can’t afford to slip up at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Chiefs’ only win during that seven-match period came in the Carling Knockout last 32 round against TS Galaxy last week, where striker Wandile Duba scored a hat-trick.

That midweek clash preceded a 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s Betway Premiership clash. Now not only are Chiefs wallowing in fifth place, but Soweto derby defeats are notorious for ramping up strain on under-pressure coaches.

The PSL has moved the match between Chiefs and Siwelele FC to 6pm on Sunday to accommodate the Caf Super Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and USM Alger of Algeria at Loftus on Saturday at 3pm.

Da Cruz knows a win over Siwelele will buy him and his technical staff time going into the Fifa International break next week. A good cup run, or even a trophy in the Carling, would really take the heat off the 53-year-old Frenchman.

“Our main target is to qualify for the semifinal stage of the Carling Knockout Cup. We respect Siwelele FC and we have prepared well for this important game,” said Da Cruz, adding Chiefs are not disadvantaged by taking the match from FNB Stadium to Polokwane.

“The game is in Polokwane and we must concentrate on winning it and qualifying for the next round. They have a new coach and they have a different structure and we must focus on how we are going to play our game.”

Siwelele coach Godfrey Mosoetsa said given the stakes, his players need no extra motivation playing the Soweto giants.

“If you look at the eight teams that are left in the competition, you wouldn’t want to play against any of them because they are very competitive. We are looking forward to this one against Chiefs, who have a lot of supporters everywhere. It is a game that our players are looking forward to.

“As a coach you don’t need to do much to motivate the players in a match like this. It would be a big thing if we proceed to the next round.”

Mosoetsa said it would also be huge on a personal note.

“I only had a couple of games with the team and the more games you get, the better you are able to give different players opportunities and seeing them at a different level.

Our main target is to qualify for the semifinal stage of the Carling Knockout Cup. We respect Siwelele FC and we have prepared well for this important game.

—  Fernando Da Cruz, Kaizer Chiefs coach

Da Cruz was also quizzed on new signing and attacker Elias Mokwana, who did not have a pre-season as he was without a club after the winger’s recent return from a two-year stint in North Africa and Saudi Arabia.

“He is a good and experienced player. He was with Bafana Bafana before and has a lot of quality. We know he is not fully fit, but we have the Fifa break and that will give us enough time to work with him. After the Fifa break, it will be time to integrate him.”

There will be another opportunity to sign more players in December, where he said Chiefs will be looking for experience.

“We don’t want to recruit for the sake of recruiting, we want players who will add value to the squad. We know in some positions, we have a lack of experience. We need experience to support our talented players in training and during the game.”

Da Cruz was also asked to clarify the continued absence of midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and striker Khanyisa Mayo.

“Mayo is not ready physically at this moment but he is working hard to come back. As for ‘Mshini’ [Ngcobo], he has a lot of competition in his position with Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi. He must keep his motivation because we need everyone during the season.”

On Chiefs’ glaring inconsistency, Da Cruz said committing basic errors in matches has not helped them in that regard.

“We have analysed our matches since the start of the season. Sometimes we drew matches because of our mistakes but we deserved to win those games. We deserved to win two to three games in a row at some stage because of our performances, but it was not be.”