Kaizer Motaung Jr Breaks Silence on Fernando Da Cruz’s Future at Naturena

JUST IN: Kaizer Chiefs Make Major Decision on Fernando Da Cruz After CAF Exit

Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior has publicly reaffirmed the club’s support for head coach Fernando Da Cruz and his technical team following the Soweto giants’ disappointing elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.

The statement, released on Saturday, comes at a difficult moment for Amakhosi, whose early departure from continental competition has intensified pressure on the coaching staff and raised questions among supporters about the club’s progress under the French tactician.

Chiefs suffered a painful 3-2 defeat on penalties against Zambian side Red Arrows after the two teams finished their two-legged encounter level at 1-1 on aggregate. Although Amakhosi secured a 1-0 victory in the second leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night, they ultimately failed to advance to the group stages.

The result was a significant disappointment for a club whose supporters had hoped for a stronger campaign on the continental stage.

However, Motaung Junior has made it clear that the club’s leadership is not prepared to abandon its long-term sporting project because of one setback.

“As a Club, we would like to reaffirm our full support for, and confidence in, the Head Coach and the entire technical team,” Motaung Junior stated in the official communication.

He emphasised that the club remains committed to establishing a clear football philosophy and development pathway that can deliver sustainable success in the future.

According to the sporting director, building a successful team requires consistency, resilience and a shared commitment to a long-term vision rather than reacting emotionally to disappointing results.

Motaung Junior also acknowledged the frustration experienced by supporters, players and other stakeholders following the latest setback. He stressed that the club understands the high expectations associated with representing one of South Africa’s biggest football institutions.

Despite the disappointment, he maintained that the technical team continues to demonstrate professionalism, dedication and a strong work ethic in its efforts to improve the squad.

The Chiefs leadership also pointed to progress within its broader sporting project, insisting that recent setbacks would not change its commitment to the club’s objectives and playing identity.

Nevertheless, the pressure on Da Cruz remains considerable. Chiefs have already experienced disappointment in the MTN8 and have now seen their continental ambitions come to an end earlier than expected.

Attention will therefore turn towards domestic competition, where the team must demonstrate improvement and give supporters renewed reasons for optimism.

Motaung Junior concluded his message by calling for unity, accountability and patience, insisting that the club believes in the work being done behind the scenes.

For Da Cruz, the public vote of confidence provides reassurance, but the challenge now is to translate that backing into consistent performances and positive results.

With expectations remaining high at Naturena, the coming matches could prove crucial in determining whether Chiefs can restore confidence and keep their season on track.

The message from the club is clear: Fernando Da Cruz still has the backing of the Chiefs leadership, but results on the pitch will remain essential.

Source https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2114028325597245924

SA_Sports [email protected]