Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has warned the club not to judge Fernando Da Cruz on one match. Chiefs face Orlando Pirates in the first Soweto Derby of the 2026/27 season on Saturday.
Ertugral, who coached Chiefs in two spells, said a win could lift the mood at the club. He said one result would not fix the deeper problems at Naturena, Goal reported.
“I must say I have a problem with calling one game a make-or-break situation for the coach. Of course, Fernando is under pressure. At Chiefs, expectations are enormous, and it is good so,” Ertugral told FARPost.
He said the bigger question was whether the team was moving forward. “After so many changes in the technical part in recent years, the real question for me is: is the team progressing?” he said.
He also asked whether the players were responding to the coach’s methods. He said it was even more important to see a clear football identity forming at the club.
Chiefs have had a hard start to the season. The team was knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup early. Some Chiefs fans have questioned the French coach after the early cup exits.
The team did get a boost on Tuesday. Chiefs beat TS Galaxy 3-0 in the Carling Knockout. The derby will be Da Cruz’s first taste of the big Soweto clash as Chiefs coach.
“The Soweto Derby is never just another football game. I know what this game means to the fans, to the clubs and everyone involved,” Ertugral said.
He said three points against the Buccaneers would help the players feel better. But he said a win would not solve the team’s weak points on its own.
“A derby victory can change the emotions, the mood in and around the team overnight, but it will not automatically solve the problems. As well equally, one defeat can not erase the work being done,” he said.
Ertugral said the club should look at whether the squad was growing. He said it should check if players were following the game plan set by the technical team since pre-season.
He said big clubs often make quick decisions during times of change. He said this habit makes it hard to build anything that lasts.
“What is for me a huge concern in today’s game is that we mostly demand long-term development but make decisions based on short-term emotions,” Ertugral said.
He added that coaches who join Chiefs must know that patience at the club has limits. He said progress must show in both performances and results.
“For me, this derby maybe will influence his future, but it should not be the only factor deciding it, it will be dangerous as well for the Club,” he said. “It’s impossible to build a proper project on Monday and abandon, because of what happens on Saturday.”
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.