Kaizer Chiefs began their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over newcomers Kruger United in Nelspruit on Saturday evening, with coach Fernando Da Cruz praising his players for delivering an attacking performance that delighted more than 50,000 supporters at Mbombela Stadium.
The result moved Amakhosi to the top of the standings on goal difference, ahead of Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United.
It was the ideal start to Da Cruz’s tenure as Kaizer Chiefs coach in a league match. The 54-year-old Frenchman, who arrived at Naturena during the off-season, saw his side control much of the contest before second-half substitute Wandile Duba scored twice to secure all three points.
Flavio Da Silva had put Kaizer Chiefs ahead early, but Kruger United levelled just before the interval through Khetukuthula Ndlovu.
Da Cruz said he was encouraged not only by the result but also by the way his players applied themselves during the match.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the players for getting the three points. We controlled the game for the first 30 minutes, but in the 15 minutes before half-time we were a bit rushed and conceded a goal from the opposition’s only offensive action,” he said.
The Kruger United goal came from their only attack of the first half, according to Da Cruz, who used the interval to address the threat posed by the hosts’ number 10.
“Their goal came from their only attack of the first half and was a bit lucky,” he explained.
“Their number 10 gave us problems getting in behind our midfield line, so the main thing at half-time was to take measures to nullify his threat by blocking the passing lanes to him, and we did better at keeping him quiet in the second half.”
That change helped Kaizer Chiefs reassert control after the restart. The visitors created a series of chances before Duba found the net twice, giving them a comfortable opening-day victory.
Da Cruz also pointed to the squad’s progress in adapting to his preferred game model. Kaizer Chiefs showed a more direct and attacking approach, a style that was warmly received by the large crowd at Mbombela Stadium.
“We started the second half with the same intensity and control of the tempo that we had at the beginning of the match. I am very happy with the performance although we need to keep working hard,” he said.
“We are in the process of implementing our game model, which the players enjoy and are working hard at understanding the way we want to play.
“We have only played two games, which have gone well, yet we have a long season ahead and will always continue to work hard at improving.”
The victory follows Kaizer Chiefs’ success in the Toyota Cup during pre-season and is likely to raise confidence among Amakhosi supporters at the start of the new campaign.
Kaizer Chiefs’ next match will be an MTN8 quarter-final against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 9 August at 18:00.
Their next Betway Premiership fixture is also at FNB Stadium, against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, 12 August at 19:30.
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