Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz expressed disappointment with his team's performance in the Soweto derby, where they lost 2-1 to Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. The loss extended Chiefs' winless league streak against Pirates to seven matches, with six defeats and one draw. Da Cruz attributed the defeat to two main factors: missed chances and the role of Pirates' supporters, which he likened to a '12th man'.
Da Cruz stated that Chiefs should have taken the lead in the first half, citing a lack of efficiency in front of goal. He believed that Chiefs should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up at halftime. Additionally, Da Cruz questioned the referee's decisions, specifically the awarding of Pirates' first goal, which he claimed was offside. He also felt that a Pirates player should have received a second yellow card and subsequent red card.
The referee's performance was a significant talking point for Da Cruz, who felt that it impacted the game's outcome. He stated that Chiefs should have played 11 against 10, not 11 versus 11. Da Cruz acknowledged that Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had conceded that his initial tactics were wrong, but Chiefs failed to capitalize on their first-half dominance.
In the second half, Da Cruz noted that Chiefs were less effective, finishing the last 30 minutes tired and struggling to create chances. However, he attributed this to tiredness rather than Pirates' creation of opportunities. Despite the loss, Da Cruz expressed satisfaction with his team's overall performance, highlighting the need for a swift response in the upcoming Carling Knockout quarter-final against Siwelele.
The defeat piles pressure on Da Cruz, who had briefly eased tensions with a 3-0 Carling Knockout Cup win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday. The victory was followed by a public endorsement from sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr. However, Chiefs' margin for error is rapidly decreasing, and they require a strong response to avoid further domestic slip-ups that could jeopardize their season.
Chiefs' current winless run in the league stands at four consecutive games, and they trail the summit by 11 points. Da Cruz insists that they can still turn their league campaign around, but it will be challenging unless they address their squad's glaring second-half fade-outs. The team's performance in the Soweto derby has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the top level.
The Soweto derby victory for Pirates was a significant result, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the winner. The result highlights the competitive nature of the league and the challenges that Chiefs face in their quest to improve their standings. As the season progresses, Da Cruz and his team will need to regroup and reassess their strategy to achieve their goals.
Key points
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz cites missed chances and questionable refereeing as reasons for his side's 2-1 Soweto derby loss to Orlando Pirates.
- Chiefs' loss extends their winless league streak against Pirates to seven matches.
- Da Cruz emphasizes the need for his team to address their second-half fade-outs to turn their league campaign around.
