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Fernando Da Cruz thanked the Kaizer Chiefs board of directors after receiving support
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Fernando Da Cruz thanked the Kaizer Chiefs board of directors after receiving support

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz reacted to the support from Chiefs sporting director Motunga Jr., emphasizing that the club is constantly looking for ways to improve.

This season, Amakhosi faced mixed results, securing several draws in the Betway Premiership and being eliminated from the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup even before the tournament began.

Before the 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Carlin's Cup, disappointment was growing, leading to calls for the dismissal of Da Cruz and his team. However, Motunga Jr. insisted on the need for patience and supported the technical team in striving for stability and correcting the situation.

Speaking after the cup match victory against Galaxy, which maintained the club's hopes for trophies, Da Cruz expressed gratitude to Motunga Jr. and the board of directors for their support, detailing the process of their collaboration.

Da Cruz explained: 'You should know that I meet with the sporting director at least once every three or four months to talk about the team and the project.' He added: 'The trust he has placed in me regarding daily work is very important. Whether we win, draw, or lose, we need to analyze the situation very well. In our meetings, we always discuss how we can improve the team.'

The coach noted that he was not the best coach compared to last week because the team was excluded from CAF.

Da Cruz also pointed out that if there had not been several draws and injuries to key players resulting from contact, Chiefs would have had a much stronger campaign. He continued: 'The board of directors and the sporting director are here every day to see the staff's commitment.'

He concluded: 'When we analyze the situation, we feel that we were unlucky due to the draws because we deserved to win. We were unlucky with the injuries because there are many, and they are sustained through contact.'

The convincing victory over TS Galaxy gives Chiefs a good boost ahead of the derby on Saturday against fierce rivals Orlando Pirates. The win at FNB Stadium will further confirm the faith shown by Motunga Jr. and the club's board.

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Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz calls on fans to support the team before CAF Confederation Cup match
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Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz calls on fans to support the team before CAF Confederation Cup match

The coach of Kaizer Chiefs, Fernando da Cruz, appealed to the fans for unity among players, technical staff, and supporters, as 'Amakhosi' faced the possibility of an early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.

The team suffered a 1-0 defeat against Zambian club Red Arrows in the first match of the second preliminary round at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, which requires them to work in the second round.

Since the decisive match is scheduled for next Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium, da Cruz is counting on fan support to inspire the team to turn things around and maintain their participation in the continental campaign.

Da Cruz stated: 'We need them on Friday for the game to support us because I know the team is capable of changing the result.' The French coach emphasized that during difficult times, everyone associated with the club must move in the same direction, rather than letting pressure divide the team.

He added: 'The most important thing is that in difficult moments we must remain united: players, staff, club, and fans, to get through this period and achieve the best results.'

Chiefs will require a more convincing attacking performance after struggling to create clear goal-scoring opportunities in Zambia. Da Cruz admitted that changes might be necessary if his team wants to overcome Red Arrows and compensate for the deficit.

The coach noted: 'Certainly, we need to change something to create more chances. Usually, we create more chances in the PSL.' He also acknowledged that the first match was unusual due to his team's lack of attacking output, making it important for the technical staff to assess what went wrong before the return match.

'This is the first time we haven't created many chances, so we need to analyze it, and then we need to change something to have a chance to qualify.'

Now Chiefs' task is to put these words into action in front of their home fans. They need to win by at least two goals to guarantee qualification for the main round, while a one-goal victory would send the match into extra time if the aggregate score remains level.

For da Cruz, the message is clear: 'Amakhosi' needs collective response both on the field and in the stands if they want to avoid early continental setbacks.

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