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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 sees opportunity for quick recovery after Confederation Cup exit
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iol.co.za

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz sees opportunity for quick recovery after Confederation Cup exit

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz expressed satisfaction with the rapid succession of matches, believing this will give his team time to utilize the positive moments it demonstrated, despite the failure to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

The Chiefs team lost to Zambia's 'Red Arrows' 3–2 on penalties in the second qualification match held in Durban. However, they won the match during regular time 1–0, thus leveling the aggregate score after a previous 1–0 defeat in Ndola a week earlier.

Nevertheless, the Amakhosi team was partly responsible for its own failure at home. They created a sufficient number of chances throughout the match to secure a victory but failed to convert these scoring opportunities at crucial moments.

Mduduzi Shabalaala faced harsh criticism from fans after missing key moments, which added to the disappointment felt by the fanbase, who are experiencing a four-match winless streak across all tournaments.

During the post-match press conference at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Da Cruz decided to find a positive aspect in the team's ability to create attacks. He stated: 'When we win or lose, we must analyze the game very carefully. When you analyze this match, you see that we dominated and created chances. That is the most positive thing. The most important thing is not to put too much pressure on these players. Everyone saw today's game. We are on the right track.'

Chiefs do not have time to dwell on the defeat. They need to maintain the momentum from their 90-minute triumph, secured by a header goal from Bradley Cross, for the upcoming game.

Da Cruz explained why he welcomes the quick return to action before the match in the Carlin Cup Round of 16 against TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening at FNB Stadium (starting at 19:00). He noted: 'It is good that we are playing again quickly; the mental transition will also be faster. The most important thing on my mind right now is the Carlin Cup. The next match is always the most important, so we must prepare properly to advance to the next round.'

A victory over the Galaxy team, often nicknamed 'the bogey,' is crucial as this match will serve as a dress rehearsal for the derby in Soweto on Saturday against arch-rival Orlando Pirates. Pirates enter this match full of confidence, as they represent South Africa in the continental Champions League group stage following the unexpected elimination of Mamelodi Sundowns.

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