Kaizer Chiefs face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout first round at FNB Stadium on Tuesday (7pm), with coach Fernando da Cruz hoping the match can provide an immediate response to their CAF Confederation Cup elimination.
The Frenchman has urged his players to remain calm, but another early cup exit could increase the pressure on him. Chiefs have already been knocked out of the MTN8 this season and would face elimination from a third competition if Galaxy win in Johannesburg.
Chiefs were beaten by Zambian side Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium at the weekend. They won the second leg 1-0 in regulation time to level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate, after losing the away match by the same scoreline in Ndola the previous Saturday, but went out 3-2 on penalties.
The defeat came after Chiefs were beaten by Golden Arrows in the first round of the MTN8 in August.
Galaxy have endured a difficult start to the Betway Premiership and could deepen Chiefs’ problems by claiming victory at FNB Stadium. The result would come just four days before Chiefs play Orlando Pirates in the first Soweto derby of the season at the same venue on Saturday (3.30pm).
Da Cruz believes the quick turnaround gives his side an opportunity to move on from the disappointment.
“It’s very good to play the next game quickly [after losing] because we can switch our focus to the next game immediately. We must make sure that we qualify for the next round of the Carling Cup,” he said.
The Chiefs coach also said his squad should not be burdened by the team’s results so early in the campaign.
“The most important thing is not to put pressure on these players,” Da Cruz said.
“We are only in October… it’s the beginning of the season and there’s still a lot of games to be played. We must just continue to work.”
Da Cruz maintains that Chiefs have performed well despite their results and expects their fortunes to improve if they continue to show intensity and character.
“The team plays very well but it’s only the results that are not favouring us. We must continue this way, with character, with intensity we will win more and more games,” he said.
Fixtures
Carling Knockout
Tuesday:
Pirates v Milford, Orlando (7pm);
Chiefs v Galaxy, FNB (7pm);
Sundowns v Gallants, Loftus (7pm).
Wednesday:
Durban v Stellenbosch, Chatsworth (7pm).
Betway Premiership
Friday:
Gallants v Siwelele, Royal Bafokeng (7.30pm).
Saturday:
Pirates v Chiefs, FNB (3.30pm);
Milford v Sekhukhune, Sugar Ray Xulu (3.30pm);
Stellenbosch v Chippa, Danie Craven (6pm);
AmaZulu v Arrows, Princess Magogo (6pm);
Polokwane v Galaxy, Old Peter Mokaba (6pm);
Kruger v Bay, Mbombela (8.15pm);
Sundowns v Durban, Royal Bafokeng (8.15pm).
