“We Must Make It a Champions League Game” — Da Cruz Fires Up Chiefs for Sundowns Battle
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz. Photo: Gallo Images
Fresh from back-to-back wins in their opening two Betway Premiership fixtures, Kaizer Chiefs face their toughest test yet when they host reigning CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Amakhosi coach Fernando Da Cruz has acknowledge the magnitude of the encounter, saying his side will need to produce a Champions League-level performance to match Ka Bo Yellow.
Addressing the media at Naturena on Thursday, the Chiefs mentor stressed the importance of raising their game to compete with the Tshwane giants, who are widely regarded as the benchmark in South African football.
“As all the teams, we will make and analyse from this team, but you know that it will be a tough game. It will be from our squad, our technical staff also to grow up our level, to be at the same level and to make a Champions League game,” Da Cruz told the media.
The Portuguese-born tactician’s message was clear: Chiefs respect Sundowns’ quality but are not going to roll over. Instead, the focus is on self-improvement and rising to the occasion.
Da Cruz has had a largely positive start to life at Naturena, guiding Chiefs to a 3-1 victory over Kruger United and a 2-0 win against Sekhukhune United in their opening league matches. However, he did suffer a 1-0 setback against Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-finals, a result that served as a reminder that there is still work to be done.
Sundowns, on the other hand, have had a slightly less congested start to the campaign, playing just one league game so far — a thrilling 3-2 win over TS Galaxy. The Tshwane giants also booked their place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Polokwane City, but the South American may need more than positive momentum to outwit Masandawana on Saturday
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