No time to mourn! Kaizer Chiefs boss delivers defiant message after African humiliation
Kaizer Chiefs are still reeling from their heartbreaking elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup, but Fernando Da Cruz has no intention of dwelling on the disappointment. The French coach has delivered a clear message to his players ahead of another important cup challenge.
Details: Speaking to iDiski Times, Da Cruz insisted that the Carling Knockout Cup clash against TS Galaxy must now become his team's absolute priority. He explained: "In my mind the most important is the next game against TS Galaxy in the Carling Cup because every time the most important game is the next one." The coach believes a demanding run of fixtures can help his squad quickly redirect its attention towards new objectives.
The comments follow Friday's devastating continental elimination against Zambia's Red Arrows. Chiefs won the second leg 1-0 through Bradley Cross, cancelling out their first-leg defeat by the same score. However, they lost the subsequent penalty shootout 2-3, ending their hopes of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Da Cruz now wants his players to channel that frustration into their domestic campaign. The Carling Knockout represents another opportunity to compete for silverware, while the upcoming Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates adds further pressure. The coach has previously described TS Galaxy as difficult opponents and stressed the importance of careful preparation despite the limited recovery time.
It's worth noting that sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior publicly reaffirmed the club's support for Da Cruz and his coaching staff following the elimination. Despite growing criticism of recent results, the management maintains confidence in its long-term project. The upcoming fixtures will provide an immediate test of the team's response.
Reminder: African nightmare! Kaizer Chiefs crash out of CAF Confederation Cup after penalty heartbreak.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
