Da Cruz warned: ‘That’s not Chiefs’ style’

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Da Cruz warned: ‘That’s not Chiefs’ style’

Sep 20, 2026 – 08:54 am
By Thato Bosoga

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabiso Malatsi has cast a doubt over the formation of head coach Fernando Da Cruz after Amakhosi dropped points again against Polokwane City.

Chiefs dropped points for the third time in their first five matches after they could not close out a 1-0 lead, as they conceded late and were held to a 1-1 draw by Rise and Shine over the weekend.

The Glamour Boys also came close to getting maximum points after going ahead against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns but were also held to a 1-1 draw while they came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Richards Bay.

Da Cruz, throughout, has been instilling a new playing style, with three centre-backs and wing-backs, a formation he has maintained even against the so-called small teams.

With a section of Chiefs supporters seeing the scheme as defensive, Malatsi has also echoed the same sentiment.

“The coach’s formation is shocking. You can’t, at a big team like Chiefs play with five defenders, it won’t work. At a big club it’s either 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, that’s the style of Chiefs,” Malatsi told KickOff.

“This thing of five (or three at the back) does not work. And these youngsters are promising. Even the likes of (Lebohang) Maboe, (Siphesihle) Ndlovu have raised their hand. Ndlovu now is no longer just defensive, he can be offensive, he creates.

READ | Da Cruz has his say on VAR after Chiefs’ latest frustration

“The players are coming well but what I like about him (Da Cruz) is that he believes in these youngsters, it is just that our defence is poor,” Malatsi said.

Chiefs, who are fourth in the Betway Premiership standings, will return to action when they visit Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon at Mbombela Stadium.