‘Kaizer Chiefs is bigger than Fernando Da Cruz’

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz is under serious pressure after a dismal start to the campaign. Is he a good fit?

**What are Da Cruz’s strengths as a coach? **

Before his appointment, Da Cruz was known for his emphasis on tactical discipline and defensive structure. So far, the new boss has been insistent on a system using three central defenders, two wing-backs and a midfield pivot. The 3421 allows the front three to be more flexible. Injuries to regular central midfielders Lebo Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu were not ideal

A Marcelo Bielsa STUDENT

Fernando Da Cruz worked alongside legendary Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa at Lille. Da Cruz had three stints with the French outfit in several roles, namely, as a scout, caretaker manager and head coach of the B side, where he nurtured talents such as Idrissa Gueye, Lucas Digne, Victor Osimhen, and Eden Hazard.

Da Cruz has been good to his word, but it hasn’t been good enough

Mfundo Vilakazi has been handed 746 minutes. Only veterans Brandon Petersen, Inacio Miguel and Lebo Maboe have played more than the youngster. 20-year-old Luke Baartman has played 480 minutes, while 22-year-old Wandile Duba is proving his worth and winning the trust of the boss, playing 476 minutes so far. 22-year-old Mdu Shabalala has 442 minutes of playing time so far, but Langelihle Phili’s debut season with the club has been cruelly interrupted by a serious ankle injury. It’s clear that the youngsters are being trusted.

Chiefs are out of the title race

Kaizer Chiefs are already 12 points adrift of leaders Sundowns, and their season is only nine matches old. What conclusions can we draw here? Are the players at Da Cruz’s disposal simply not good enough, or is he not getting the most out of a talented young group?

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