Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz says his side’s sole objective is to secure qualification for the group stage of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup when they host Zambia’s Red Arrows in the second leg of their second-round tie on Friday.
Amakhosi head into the decisive encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit after suffering a narrow defeat in the first leg in Ndola last weekend.
Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Da Cruz acknowledged the quality of the Zambian champions but insisted that his team were focused on getting the result required to progress in the competition.
“We faced a very good team, as I mentioned before the first leg. It was a tough game in Zambia. Unfortunately, we conceded one goal from a set piece near the end, so now our only objective tomorrow is to qualify for the group stage,” the Frenchman said.
Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel echoed his coach’s confidence, arguing that the first-leg defeat did not fully reflect his team’s performance and that the tie remained firmly within their reach.
The defender attributed the decisive goal to a lapse in concentration at a corner but believes Amakhosi have the quality to turn the contest around on home soil.
“As the coach said, we were aware of the quality of this Red Arrows team. I don’t think we did as badly as people think. We conceded from a set piece, which is part of the game, but in general play I think we managed them quite well, only to lose concentration at one corner, which was costly,” Miguel said.
“Still, nothing is lost yet, and we have already proved this season that we are capable of turning the tie around.”
Miguel also accepted responsibility for the defensive organisation that led to Red Arrows’ winning goal, stressing the importance of improving the team’s concentration in set-piece situations.
“As a defender and captain, leadership and organisation is key and it is my responsibility if we concede from a corner. It is something that we constantly work to improve on and minimise our mistakes,” he added.
Da Cruz confirmed that his players had worked on different aspects of their game during the week, with particular attention given to set pieces ahead of the must-win encounter.
“We have practised all aspects of the game during the week, including set pieces, particularly on concentration and aggression,” he said.
The Chiefs coach is also conscious of the expectations that come with leading one of South Africa’s most high-profile clubs, particularly amid scrutiny from supporters following the first-leg loss.
Da Cruz, however, insisted that the pressure had not distracted him from his responsibility to improve the team’s performances and deliver results.
“From the day I took this job, I knew the pressure was very high and I put pressure on myself every day because I demand high standards of myself,” he said.
“We try, step by step, to improve our level to what we expect and what the fans expect. I am completely focused on the team because what is most important is to make the fans happy.”
He also pointed to injuries within the squad while acknowledging the frustration among supporters, calling for their backing as Chiefs pursue qualification.
“I understand that fans can be disappointed but it is always important to analyse the context; we have some important players out injured. It’s not an excuse, but it’s a fact and that should be kept in mind,” Da Cruz said.
“We need our supporters behind us to push us and, on our side, to stay focused on our job, the football.”
Miguel likewise appealed for unity, describing the supporters as the team’s 12th man and urging them to create an atmosphere that can inspire the players to overcome the deficit.
“Sometimes a team goes through a difficult phase. Our supporters are our 12th man and we need them, especially tomorrow, to come to the game,” he said.
“I think we need to stick together from the first whistle to the last and we will give everything to do the job on the field. We are truly grateful to our fans for their loyalty and support, and we will fight to get the victory tomorrow.”
Da Cruz also played down attention surrounding an exchange between Reeve Frosler and Renaldo Leaner after the final whistle in Ndola, which attracted discussion on social media.
“There was no problem. It is common in football, especially when passion is strong that these things happen, but we didn’t need to speak to the players because there was no issue,” he said.
With qualification at stake, Da Cruz made it clear that the priority is to score early before assessing what is required to complete the comeback.
“It is imperative for us to score the first goal tomorrow and afterwards, depending on the game situation, we will think about the second goal. However, it all hinges on getting the first goal,” he said.
The second leg kicks off at 18:00 CAT on Friday, 23 October, at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Chiefs seeking to book their place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage and Red Arrows aiming to protect their advantage and progress at the expense of the South African giants.
