Da Cruz on the wheel at Chiefs: For better or worse

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Fernando da Cruz has reached 10 games in charge at Kaizer Chiefs with more questions than he has provided answers.

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Da Cruz on the wheel at Chiefs: For better or worse

Oct 19, 2026 – 08:43 am
By Lovemore Moyo

While so much has been said about Fernando da Cruz’s first 10 games at Kaizer Chiefs, how does he compare to those before him over the last 10 years.

Da Cruz reached the 10 matches mark with defeat against Red Arrows in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

That loss left Chiefs with just one win from the last seven and needing a two-goal margin win against Arrows on Friday to go through to the group stages.

For now, the Frenchman is walking with little to be proud of at Chiefs after winning only three out of 10, drawn five, and lost two.

No surprise he was asked about pressure in the job after the Arrows game.

“We are all under pressure every day and I put pressure on myself every day, so it is not a problem.

“But we just have a lack of efficiency, we must put more work when we attack.

“We just need to work on that, and it will turn on our side,” says Da Cruz.

How coaches that have been at Chiefs over the last decade have fared in the first 10 games:

Khalil Ben Youssef/Cedric Kaze – 4 wins, one defeat, 5 draws (including one match that they then lost on penalties)

Cavin Johnson – 4 wins, 2 defeats, 4 draws (including one that ended in a penalty defeat)

Arthur Zwane – 3 wins, 3 defeats, 4 draws (including won that they then won on penalties)

Stuart Baxter – 3 wins, 3 defeats, 4 draws (including the one they lost on penalties)

Ernst Middendorp – 6 wins (including one extra-time victory), 4 defeats

Steve Komphela – 4 wins (including one extra-time victory), one defeat. 5 draws

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