Chiefs coach questions players’ mentality after win

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Kaizer Chiefs beat Siwelele 3-2, but coach Fernando Da Cruz questioned his players’ mentality after a nervous finish.

• Chiefs moved third, but Da Cruz says tactics alone will not fix their defensive fear and poor finishing.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has questioned his players’ mentality despite a 3-2 win over Siwelele FC on Sunday.

Chiefs looked in control at Dobsonville Stadium before a late Siwelele fightback produced a tense finish.

Mfundo Vilakazi opened the scoring after 30 minutes before Wandile Duba doubled the lead after the hour mark.

Siwelele quickly pulled one back before a Samukelo Xulu own goal made it 3-1.

Michael N’Guessan then scored for Siwelele in injury time, but Chiefs held on for three points.

The victory moved Amakhosi up to third in the Betway Premiership behind Orlando Pirates and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Da Cruz was unhappy with the way his team reacted when Siwelele put them under pressure.

“We were worried after that and the defensive part was not good,” he said. “But we have a lack of personality on the field.”

Da Cruz said Chiefs deserved to win but should have finished the game much earlier.

He was especially frustrated with their missed chances in the first half.

“We created a lot of chances but we didn’t have the killer instinct inside the box,” he said.

The coach also criticised Chiefs for switching to long balls after half-time instead of continuing with the style that had worked earlier.

Da Cruz believes the problems cannot be fixed through tactics alone.

“It also depends on the spirit and mentality of the players on the field,” he said.

Chiefs next travel to face Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership.

Pictured above: Fernando Da Cruz.

Image source: @KaizerChiefs/X