Kaizer Chiefs' Mfundo Vilakazi challenges for the ball against Siwelele FC winger Vincent Pule during the Betway Premiership match at the Dobsonville stadium in Soweto.
Image: Itumeleng English / ANA Studio
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz believes his side must develop a stronger killer instinct after failing to put Siwelele FC away despite creating numerous chances in** their 3-2 Betway Premiership victory at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.**
Chiefs appeared to be cruising after taking a 1-0 lead into half-time and doubling their advantage shortly after the hour mark.
However, Siwelele twice found a way back into the contest, leaving** Da Cruz** concerned about his team’s ability to manage games.
“In the first half, we were very good in possession and we created a lot of chances but we didn’t have the killer instinct inside the box,” Da Cruz said.
Mfundo Vilakazi opened the scoring in the 30th minute before Wandile Duba doubled Chiefs’ advantage. Siwelele pulled one back soon afterwards, but an own goal by Samukelo Xulu restored Chiefs’ two-goal cushion with 14 minutes remaining.
The hosts refused to surrender, with new signing Michael N’Guessan scoring in injury time to set up a nervy finish before Chiefs held on for the points.
The victory lifted Amakhosi to third in the Betway Premiership standings, behind Orlando Pirates and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite the result, Da Cruz was particularly unhappy with how Chiefs responded after Siwelele’s first goal.
“We scored our second goal, but directly afterwards, Siwelele scored their first. And we were worried after that and the defensive part was not good,” he reflected.
Da Cruz believes the issue goes beyond tactics, with Chiefs lacking the personality to control matches when under pressure.
“But we have a lack of personality on the field. To conclude, we deserved all three points if you analyse the game, but our regret is that our opponent came into our box two times and they scored on both occasions so they have 100% success.”
He also criticised Chiefs’ approach at the start of the second half.
“At the start of the second half we didn’t play well, we started to play long but we needed to continue to play the way we played in the first half.”
Da Cruz will now hope his players respond when they travel to face Polokwane City.
“The first step is to do our match analysis and correct the tactical side but it’s not only that. It also depends on the spirit and mentality of the players on the field,” he concluded.
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