Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has opened up about the club’s trophy ambitions following bold expectations set by football manager Bobby Motaung, insisting he is “not a magician.”
Motaung recently made it clear to FARPost that Amakhosi must compete for every available trophy this season, including the Betway Premiership. However, Da Cruz—who took the helm during the off-season to replace co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef—is maintaining a measured approach.
His early tenure at Naturena has been a mixed bag. While Chiefs sit third in the league table behind pacesetters Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, a premature 1-0 MTN8 exit to Golden Arrows served as a stark reminder of the work ahead.
With Amakhosi faithful desperate for consistent silverware, faith has been placed in Da Cruz to restore the glory days following Nasreddine Nabi’s Nedbank Cup triumph two seasons ago, which snapped the club’s 10-year trophy drought. The French mentor is now expected to build on that foundation.
Motaung reinforced these expectations during an exclusive interview with FARPost last month, setting clear targets for the technical team. “The new coach obviously knows he has to win the league,” Motaung said “He has to win cups; he has to bring the glory days back. He must enjoy his work with the support that we are giving him, with the players and everybody.”
WHAT DA CRUZ SAID ABOUT CHIEFS’ TROPHY EXPECTATIONS
Speaking on how far Chiefs can go in chasing trophies, the 54-year-old took a cautious approach to what he aims to achieve with the club, saying he’s taking it one game at a time.
“I’m not a magician like a reporter. I cannot say what we will achieve, but the most important thing for us is to keep the mentality of working and listening,” Da Cruz said.
“Like I already said, we will make a conclusion. If we are in a good position, we’ll try to achieve as best as we can. We are very ambitious, but our first ambition is always to win the next game.”
Fernando Da Cruz’s charges will lock horns with Siwelele FC in the crucial league encounter at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, looking to return to winning ways after playing to a 2-2 draw against Richards Bay FC in their most recent encounter.
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