‘We’re not afraid’: Da Cruz backs Kaizer Chiefs to bounce back from MTN8 exit

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz admits his side’s MTN8 exit was disappointing but insists there is enough of a foundation in place to build on as the season progresses.

Amakhosi suffered a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday, with Khulekani Shezi’s second-half strike sending Abafana Besthende into the semi-finals.

The result ended Chiefs’ hopes of lifting the MTN8 and extended their wait for the trophy to 12 years, but Da Cruz believes his side must quickly shift focus to the competitions that remain.

“Today is really disappointing because we really wanted to win and progress to the next round but there are other competitions as well and we need to work hard and improve on our weaknesses,” Da Cruz said after the match.

The defeat to Arrows provided Da Cruz with a clearer indication of where his team still needs to improve, particularly in the opening stages of matches.

The Frenchman was particularly critical of Chiefs’ intensity at the beginning of Sunday’s encounter, admitting they failed to reach the standards they had established in their previous matches.

“At the beginning of the match we were late in everything and including the duel but after we got better,” he said.

“But if we compare this game to the others, our beginning of the game was far from the levels we showed in the other games.”

Da Cruz’s philosophy has been built around an aggressive pressing approach, with Chiefs expected to work intensely without the ball and force opponents into mistakes high up the pitch.

Against Arrows, however, that press lacked its usual aggression early in the contest, allowing the visitors to settle before eventually finding the decisive goal.

The Chiefs coach nevertheless remains confident in the direction of his team and does not believe the defeat should derail the progress made during the opening weeks of his tenure.

“We’re happy with our base or foundation and we want the fans to be proud of this team in the next few weeks,” Da Cruz said.

“We’re not afraid, we’ll keep working and look forward.”

With the MTN8 now behind them, Chiefs will turn their attention back to the Betway Premiership, where Da Cruz will hope his players can respond quickly to their first major setback of the campaign.