Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz says they need major changes to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered away at Red Arrows in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round on Saturday.
Fresh from the slim loss in Zambia, the Soweto giants now host Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday. It is a crucial encounter for Amakhosi, who will be out to avoid the agony of crashing out of the continental competition in front of their fans.
For Da Cruz, it is also a match which could decide his future at Naturena. The Frenchman is under pressure as Chiefs are on a four-match winless run which includes three Betway Premiership draws and the Red Arrows defeat.
After Amakhosi took part in the Confederation Cup group stage last season, their target for this term was to reach the knockout rounds. But elimination before the group stage could be a reality for the Soweto giants.
Da Cruz would want his men to take the pressure off him by hitting back at their Zambian opponents on Friday. After blaming the Levy Mwanawasa pitch for restricting their play in the first leg, there might be few excuses when they host Red Arrows in Durban.
However, chances of injured stars Langelihle Phili, goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe returning for the second leg are slim, and Da Cruz will have to work around the men he travelled to Zambia with.
THE NEED TO CREATE MORE CHANCES, DA CRUZ PROMISES CHANGES WHEN CHIEFS HOST RED ARROWS
The Amakhosi coach has seen the need to make some changes when they host Red Arrows. New faces in the starting lineup could be thrown into the fray, and a major tactical tweak cannot also be ruled out.
More changes could be expected in midfield as the coach has emphasised the need for creativity.
“For sure, we need to change something. We need to change something to create more chances,” Da Cruz told the media after the Red Arrows match.
“Normally we create more chances in the PSL. It’s the first time we didn’t create a lot of chances. So, we need to analyse, and after that we need to change something to be able to qualify.
“As for the injured players, we will make a medical statement when we come back to Johannesburg.”
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