Fernando Da Cruz has refused to concede that Kaizer Chiefs are out of the Betway Premiership title race, despite admitting their 2-1 defeat by Orlando Pirates has made the challenge considerably harder.
Amakhosi are now 11 points behind their Soweto rivals after Saturday’s derby loss at FNB Stadium, extending their winless league run to four matches and leaving them struggling to keep pace with Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs showed promise in the first half but failed to convert their opportunities, a familiar problem that has undermined their campaign. Da Cruz nevertheless believes there is time to recover, particularly when his squad begins to regain injured players.
“I think it is more difficult after this game,” the Chiefs coach said. “But the PSL is a long journey. There are 21 games left and when we recover our injured players, we have been unlucky since the beginning of the season with injuries, this side will have more consistency of performance.”
Improving the team’s attacking threat will be a priority, with striker Khanyisa Mayo yet to feature this season because of a herniated disc. Etiosa Ighodaro has made five appearances in all competitions without scoring.
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“Mayo is not far, he is a quality player. But he was not physically ready for today, to play this type of game,” Da Cruz said.
He added that Ighodaro was still adapting to the team’s approach. “He has a lack of understanding of our game model. So we must work with him and he could be another solution.”
Chiefs turn their attention to the Carling Knockout quarter-finals this weekend, when they host Siwelele FC. With their Caf Confederation Cup campaign ended by Zambia’s Red Arrows in a penalty shootout, the domestic cup competitions offer a more immediate route to silverware.
Da Cruz’s position remains under scrutiny, despite public support from Kaizer Motaung Jnr. The coach continues to urge patience as his young squad develops.
“Our young players must learn to have consistency, but it takes time and is a process,” he said. “We need to go step by step. We are not at this step at the moment, but we will work and will reach this step.”