Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz said he does not know if his team can keep up a title challenge against Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates this season.
Chiefs are unbeaten after their first seven league matches. Even so, they are six points behind Pirates and seven points behind Sundowns, according to Goal.com.
“Our objective is to compete through the whole season, to repeat this [kind of] performance to compete against them in the PSL. For that I don’t have an answer if we can or not,” Da Cruz told the media, as reported by The Citizen.
The Frenchman spoke after watching the MTN8 final, where Sundowns beat Pirates. He said the two clubs had set a high standard.
“I watched a very good game this weekend between the teams that have achieved the title for the moment,” he said. Pirates are the reigning league champions. Before that, Sundowns won eight league titles in a row.
Da Cruz said Chiefs had shown early in the season that they could match Sundowns in a single game. The two teams drew 1-1 on 15 August.
Chiefs host Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. The coach confirmed that five first-team players will miss the match through injury.
Central midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mtasingwa are all out. Young winger Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen are also unavailable.
“We are very well prepared for tomorrow. I am not happy the players are injured but it is important that we focus on the players available,” Da Cruz said.
With three central midfielders missing, Sibongiseni Mthethwa is likely to return to the starting team, Goal.com reported. The 32-year-old could be partnered by Ethan Chislett or Thulani Mabaso.
Before the international break, Chiefs played to two draws in a row. They were held by Polokwane City and then by Golden Arrows.
Da Cruz said he was pleased with the way his team has been playing since he took charge. He said the players now understand his game model.
“I am very happy with the football we have played, the players understand our game model very well,” he said.
He added that the team still has problems to fix. “We have played quality football but there are weaknesses we have worked on. That is efficiency in the box to score more goals, and [cut out] individual mistakes,” he said.
“We need more clean sheets and you won’t concede if you don’t make these mistakes,” Da Cruz said.
The coach said his players trained hard during the break to avoid rustiness. “We know it will be a tough game, but after a few days off, the players have trained very well and with a lot of intensity,” he said.
“You know when there is a break it is not easy to come back but we have prepared well,” Da Cruz said.
The match against Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium is set for Tuesday evening.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Goal.com. Image: Goal.com. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.