Chiefs look to rebound against Galaxy before Soweto derby
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz feels tonight’s Carling Knockout first-round fixture against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium (7pm) has come at the right time after Friday’s CAF Confederation elimination.
But despite calling for calm, the Frenchman’s head could be on the block should Amakhosi be eliminated at the first hurdle of a third competition running.
Chiefs were stunned by Zambian side Red Arrows in the Confederation Cup second preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium at the weekend, having also, coincidentally, lost to Golden Arrows in the first round of the MTN8 in August.
Battling Galaxy, who have had a horrid start to the Betway Premiership, could add to Chiefs’ woes should they beat them at FNB Stadium tonight. A defeat would pile more misery on Da Cruz in a week where Chiefs face the first Soweto derby of the season. Amakhosi take on Orlando Pirates at FNB on Saturday (3.30pm).
Zambia’s Arrows won 3-2 on penalties after Chiefs had taken the tie to penalties via a 1-0 win in regulation time to make it 1-all on aggregate, after losing the away leg by the same scoreline in Ndola the previous Saturday.
“It’s very good to play the next game quickly [after losing] because we can switch our focus to the next game immediately. We must make sure that we qualify for the next round of the Carling Cup,” Da Cruz said.
He emphasised that his players must not be put under pressure. “The most important thing is not to put pressure on these players,” the Chiefs coach noted, suggesting that there was no need to panic so early in the season.
“We are only in October… it’s the beginning of the season and there’s still a lot of games to be played. We must just continue to work.”
Da Cruz is also convinced that they are playing well, feeling they have just been unlucky with the results. The Chiefs coach is confident that they will win more matches going forward as he calls for intensity and character in their play.
“The team plays very well but it’s only the results that are not favouring us. We must continue this way, with character, with intensity we will win more and more games,” Da Cruz said.