Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has identified three costly flaws his side must address following their 1-1 draw with Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Amakhosi remain unbeaten after six matches under the Frenchman, with three wins and three draws. However, Da Cruz will know that the latest result represented another missed opportunity for his side.
Chiefs controlled large periods of the encounter but were once again punished after committing an avoidable error. It continued a worrying pattern that has emerged in recent matches.
The Frenchman believes his charges are playing good football and heading in the right direction. But he has also seen enough to know exactly where they are falling short. Here are three things the former AS FAR Rabat mentor has made of his Chiefs squad.
INDIVIDUAL MISTAKES ARE COSTING CHIEFS
Da Cruz’s biggest concern is that Amakhosi are gifting opponents goals rather than being opened up through good play. The issue first surfaced against Richards Bay before reappearing in the matches against Siwelele and Polokwane City. Goalkeeper and captain Brandon Petersen has been culpable for some of those costly errors.
“For a few weeks now, when we make mistakes, we concede a goal, so we need to work. It’s very easy to analyse: before we made mistakes, we didn’t give the opponent a chance to score. But now, since Richards Bay, then Siwelele and today, Polokwane City, the opponent doesn’t create chances, but we make big mistakes, and we give the opponents the chance to score goals,” he told SuperSport TV in a post-match interview.
CHIEFS LACK RUTHLESSNESS IN BOTH BOXES
While their mistakes at the back have proved costly, the Soweto giants have also failed to make enough of the opportunities they create at the other end.
Da Cruz believes his team must become more decisive in defence and clinical in attack. Until they develop that killer instinct in both penalty areas, their encouraging performances may not always produce the desired results.
“We must not doubt, because we did good things, but we are not killers enough in the two boxes – our box and the opponent’s box also,” he added.
FAILURE TO MANAGE GAMES
Amakhosi have shown they can control matches, but they have not always managed key moments well enough to keep opponents out of the contest. Their inability to turn control into goals, coupled with costly lapses at the back, has allowed teams to find a way back into games.
However, Da Cruz does not want those shortcomings to create doubt within the squad. He remains encouraged by the football Chiefs are producing and believes the foundation is there for the team to improve.
“But we also make good things, so we need to continue to believe in ourselves because we are on the right path.”
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