Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz expressed disappointment with his team's 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby, citing two main factors behind the defeat. He attributed the loss to missed chances and the role of the referee, Luxolo Badi, who he claimed effectively gave Pirates a '12th man' on the field. The match at FNB Stadium extended Chiefs' winless league streak against Pirates to seven matches.
The defeat also prolonged Chiefs' current winless run in the league to four consecutive games. Da Cruz had briefly alleviated pressure with a 3-0 Carling Knockout Cup win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday, followed by a public endorsement from sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr. However, the derby loss has piled pressure back on Da Cruz. He remained pleased with his team's initial application but was critical of the team's efficiency.
Da Cruz pointed to two key moments in the first half that he believes could have changed the course of the game. He argued that Chiefs should have led 2-0 or 3-0 in the first half and that Pirates effectively played with 12 men due to Badi's officiating. The coach claimed that the first goal scored by Yanela Mbuthuma was offside and that a Pirates player should have received a second yellow card and subsequently a red card.
Da Cruz addressed why Chiefs dropped off sharply after the break, admitting that his team was less dangerous in the second half. He attributed this to tiredness, stating that Chiefs finished the last 30 minutes tired and could have conceded more goals. However, he expressed happiness with the overall performance. The coach emphasized that Chiefs' margin for error is rapidly decreasing.
The loss has significant implications for Chiefs' season, with a swift response needed in the Carling Knockout quarter-final against Siwelele next weekend. Further domestic slip-ups would leave their season hanging on the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup. Da Cruz insists that they can still turn their league campaign around, but sitting 11 points behind the summit makes the prospect increasingly difficult.
Chiefs' coach acknowledged that his team controlled the first half, after which Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou conceded his initial tactics were wrong. Da Cruz highlighted that his team's failure to capitalize on their dominance in the first half ultimately led to the defeat. He emphasized the need for his team to address their glaring second-half fade-outs.
The Soweto derby defeat has piled pressure on Da Cruz, who needs to find a solution to his team's struggles quickly. With Chiefs' season at a critical juncture, the coach will look to make adjustments to get his team back on track. The result also highlighted the competitive nature of the Soweto derby, with Pirates coach Ouaddou backing his team's youth to make an impact.
Key points
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz blames missed chances and referee Luxolo Badi's officiating for 2-1 Soweto derby loss to Orlando Pirates.
- The defeat extended Chiefs' winless league streak against Pirates to seven matches and their current winless run in the league to four consecutive games.
- Chiefs' coach emphasized the need for his team to address their glaring second-half fade-outs to turn their league campaign around.
