In my view, the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy has effectively sabotaged the coach by delivering the squad reinforment too late. He then expected Da Cruz to compete immediately.
This is not about blaming the coach for everything that has gone wrong. It is about asking whether his bosses gave Da Cruz the tools he needed to succeed. So far, the answer is no.
FERNANDO DA CRUZ LEFT WITH UNREADY PLAYERS
Now Da Cruz is being asked to build a team while some of his most important new additions are still adapting. That would be easier to accept if Kaizer Chiefs had not needed those players to make an immediate impact.
The consequences were already seen in the MTN8. Chiefs lost 1-0 to Lamontville Golden Arrows and exited the competition at the quarter-final stage. The Amakhosi now have to focus on the Betway Premiership while their new players continue working towards full readiness.
Da Cruz has confirmed that Phili is not yet ready to make his full impact. Speaking to FARPost, he said: “I’m happy with Phili’s performance, but for him, he is not at 100% ready at the moment. We are taking things step by step and need to be careful.”
The coach also explained the situation with Abrahams. “For Faiz, he didn’t have a pre-season, and we are making a plan to prepare him step by step. So we need to be patient,” Da Cruz added.
Those comments underline the problem. The players are not necessarily at fault. They arrived late because the club signed them late.
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KAIZER CHIEFS FACE SEKHUHUNE TEST
The problem gets bigger on Wednesday when Kaizer Chiefs host Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium. Chiefs should not be considered favourites for this match.
Sekhukhune United have won both of their opening games and arrive with maximum confidence. Chiefs, meanwhile, are coming off an MTN8 defeat and still have key players adapting to Da Cruz’s methods.
A coach needs his squad together during pre-season to build fitness, combinations and tactical understanding. Da Cruz did not get that opportunity with several of his most important new signings.
The Betway Premiership season is still young, but Chiefs have already created an unnecessary problem. If they struggle against Sekhukhune, the questions should not only be directed at Da Cruz.
The coach can only work with the players available to him. Kaizer Chiefs had weeks to make those players available. They waited until late July and August.
