Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says his side will approach this weekend’s Soweto Derby with confidence after Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy, but knows they face a difficult challenge against Orlando Pirates.
The result has renewed the mood within the Amakhosi camp ahead of Da Cruz’s first meeting with Orlando Pirates since taking charge.
“It’s the most important game in South Africa. Sold out in six hours, one of the best games in Africa,” Da Cruz said.
“It divides the country. It’s a good moment for South African football.”
Kaizer Chiefs must beat the Buccaneers if they are to revive their hopes of winning the Betway Premiership this season. A defeat, however, would leave their title ambitions close to an end.
Da Cruz believes the midweek performance has given his players a timely lift before one of the biggest fixtures in the South African football calendar.
“When you score three goals and don’t concede you’ve got a lot of confidence,” the French coach said.
“But we always want to improve the team, even when we win. So we must keep this confidence when we go to the derby.”
The Kaizer Chiefs manager also acknowledged the work done by Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou since his arrival at the club in 2025.
“I’m good. We worked well this week with the team, we are confident. But we know it’s a difficult game against a good team, a big team,” Da Cruz said.
“I congratulate Abdeslam for the job since his arrival at Orlando Pirates. But we are ready for the game.”
Da Cruz said Tuesday’s victory had helped raise the team’s spirits as they prepare for the derby, while stressing that confidence must be matched by continued improvement.
The fixture is one of the defining matches in South African football, with the two Soweto rivals meeting in a contest that will have a significant bearing on Kaizer Chiefs’ season.
