Chiefs put a square peg in a round hole: Surprise surprise, it doesn’t work

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has come under fire for his tactical approach to football matches. How will they line up for the next one?

Kaizer Chiefs draw a blank against Red Arrows

Coach Fernando Da Cruz opted for a back four and a double midfield pivot of Reeve Frosler and Sibongiseni Mthethwa for Chiefs’ 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch, and persisted with that pairing against Red Arrows in a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. Da Cruz’s hands are tied in some ways with Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu out injured, but this combination clearly isn’t working.

Chiefs XI vs Red Arrows: Leaner; Monyane, Miguel Moloisane, Cross; Vilakazi, Mthethwa, Frosler, Mako; Baartman, Shabalala.

Chiefs, the draw specialists

The Glamour Boys have now drawn five of their last six Betway Premiership outings and not beaten Stellenbosch in any of their last four H2Hs, a sequence that includes three defeats. They trail champions Orlando Pirates by eight points after just eight matches of the 2026-27 season.

**When will Maboe return? **

Playmaker Lebohang Maboe has two goals and two assists this season in the league. Without him, they look devoid of creativity. At 32, Maboe is hardly a spring chicken, but the club hasn’t clarified when he’ll return after an injury against Golden Arrows.

What’s next for Kaizer Chiefs?

Chiefs will aim to claw back a 1-0 deficit when they meet Red Arrows in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round clash on Friday, 23 October at 18:00.

Are Kaizer Chiefs the PSL’s ultimate underachievers?

Since 2014-15, Chiefs have just a solitary piece of silverware to show for their efforts. A win against Orlando Pirates in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final was a solid fillip for the club, but it’s not enough. Chiefs have to mount credible title challenges year on year, otherwise their work is incomplete. The Glamour Boys’ reputation precedes them, and they dine out on it to this day. They’ll always sell millions of jerseys and garner the most attention online, but the inescapable truth is that they’re underachieving badly.

Will Chiefs mount a comeback against Red Arrows? Click the red comments banner below and have your say 🙂