Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz says Amakhosi are not yet equipped to mount a serious Betway Premiership title challenge against Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the coming season, despite a morale-boosting win in the Toyota Cup.
The Frenchman, preparing for his first league campaign in charge, admitted his squad is still short of the level required to compete with the dominant pair at the top of South African football.
“For the moment no,” he told the media when asked whether Chiefs can realistically battle for the championship.
Da Cruz’s assessment followed a 1-0 victory over Scotland FC at the weekend, a result that brought a positive end to a pre-season in which Chiefs have struggled to find rhythm.
Pre-season concerns despite Toyota Cup win
Chiefs travelled to Spain for a series of friendly matches as part of their preparations, but managed only one win during that tour.
The narrow success against Scotland FC in the Toyota Cup has not altered Da Cruz’s broader view that his team remains behind their main domestic rivals in terms of readiness.
He stressed that his evaluation is based on a squad that is still incomplete and evolving.
“But we are looking for offensive options and when we have the entire squad then we can assess if we are able to challenge other teams to win the title, and to go well in the Confederation Cup,” he said.
Da Cruz also underlined that performance in continental competition is part of his early planning, even as he tempers expectations around Chiefs’ ability to immediately dethrone Sundowns or outlast Pirates over a full league campaign.
Attack remains transfer priority
While Chiefs have already brought in four new players during the current transfer window, Da Cruz made clear that further recruitment is expected before the window closes in September.
He identified the forward line and creative positions as the main areas still requiring reinforcement.
“A striker, new wingers and an offensive midfielder,” the French coach said, listing the roles he believes need to be filled.
“We [already] have good profiles, but we asked management to get different profiles, so that we can play different football and be less predictable.”
His comments suggest a desire to reshape Chiefs’ attacking structure, adding variety and flexibility to a side that has often been criticised for being too easy to read in possession.
Injury setback for Cross
Chiefs’ preparations have also been disrupted by an untimely injury to defender Bradley Cross.
The centre-back was forced off during the Toyota Cup win over Scotland FC on Sunday and is expected to miss at least the opening league fixture.
The setback leaves Da Cruz with one fewer option in defence as he prepares for the start of the Betway Premiership season.
Tough opener on the road
Chiefs begin their league campaign away to Kruger United on Saturday, with the match to be played at Mbombela Stadium.
The fixture will offer an early indication of where Amakhosi stand after an uneven pre-season and in the midst of ongoing squad rebuilding.
With further signings planned and key players still to return to full fitness, Da Cruz has framed the early part of the season as a period of assessment rather than one in which Chiefs can instantly be bracketed with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the title race.
