After missing out on the MTN8 early in the season, Kaizer Chiefs will have another shot at challenging for a trophy, and Fernando Da Cruz is the man who will be expected to take them to the promised land and deliver silverware.
Da Cruz attended the Carling Knockout launch this week, when his side was pitted against TS Galaxy.
The Rockets may be struggling, but as they say, a man with nothing to lose is more dangerous, and Chiefs should bear that in mind when they tackle Galaxy this weekend.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs on the back foot after losing in Zambia while Pirates register away win
Chiefs have a bittersweet cup history with Galaxy, most notably in Galaxy’s historic Nedbank Cup final triumph in 2019, when they beat the Glamour Boys 1-0 and caused one of the biggest upsets of the competition to become the first-ever NFD team to win the competition.
It goes without saying that Da Cruz is under pressure after the topsy-turvy start to their season. Chiefs have recorded five draws out of eight league matches, which is not good for a team of their calibre.
So, to make up for the uninspiring start to their campaign, Da Cruz and his charges will want to have a positive start to their Carling Knockout challenge and advance to the next round, before the big one against nemesis Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on October 31.
READ: Chiefs Fernando Da Cruz fully recovered after falling ill, looks ahead to CAF
“We have a lot of games during this month, and it will not be easy. We have the Carling Knockout Cup, and we have the Soweto derby at the end of the month. So, we start this competition now, but it can allow the team to be in a new dynamic,” Da Cruz said after the draw.
Amakhosi last won silverware with the Nedbank Cup two seasons ago, when they ended the club’s decade-long trophy drought under coach Nasreddine Nabi and double agents Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
The Glamour Boys could not defend their crown or lift any trophy last season and will be hoping things will be different under Da Cruz.
Carling Knockout Official Fixtures:
Kruger United vs AmaZulu FC; Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants; Golden Arrows vs Chippa United; Durban City vs Stellenbosch FC; Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC; Polokwane City vs Siwelele FC; Sekhukhune United vs Richards Bay FC; Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
- Kaizer Chiefs will face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout this weekend, with Fernando Da Cruz as head coach.
- Chiefs have drawn five of their eight league matches this season, indicating a challenging start to their campaign.
- TS Galaxy famously defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the 2019 Nedbank Cup final, becoming the first NFD team to win the competition.
- Kaizer Chiefs aim to progress in the Carling Knockout before facing Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on October 31.
- Kaizer Chiefs' last trophy was the Nedbank Cup two seasons ago, ending a decade-long drought under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Black Label cup will lend on Kaizer Chiefs side after Orlando Pirates have won the league and Mamelodi Sundowns won the MTN 8 and now is time for the Clomour boy’s
As for this so coach, chiefs will never go anywhere. For as long as he will be playing this boring and lack of creativity style of football, we are going nowhere rather than fighting not to be relegated. This is not a coach and doesn’t have any coaching knowledge at all. Chiefs must just decide whether they want to see 👀 us always wishing other teams to loose games, or come up with some one with better football knowledge. Ernst will even be far much better with the team we have.
I wish chiefs could win this cup for their supporters who have been through a lot of pain
I think Kaizer Chiefs Coach ,Da Cruz must use his back 4 and not back 5. In all games played with back 4 we won. All games played with back 5 we drew.
It still too early for Kaizer Chiefs to be where we know it The problem they don’t have a good coach and lack striking force, poor lineup ( players combination) adefensive strategy than offensive one
I think chiefs should have found a coach with a lot of coaching knowledge at the beginning of the season because haii 🤦🏽♂️ why did they bring a coach who was part of Kaizer Chiefs (assistant coach)in the previous seasons they should have found a coach like Pitso or Benni McCarthy,or if chiefs carry’s on signing previous coaches,yoh I guess we will still struggle