- Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup on penalties after a tense two-legged tie
- Sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has broken his silence on the club's troubling run of results
- A football analyst in a chat with Briefly News weighed in on whether Fernando da Cruz should keep his job
Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr. has called for calm among supporters and stakeholders, insisting the Soweto club remains committed to its long-term vision despite mounting pressure following a run of poor results.
The latest setback arrived on Friday when Chiefs were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup at the preliminary round stage. Although they claimed a 1-0 victory in the second leg, it was not enough to advance, with the aggregate score level at 1-1 after a 1-0 loss in the away fixture. Chiefs then fell to a 3-2 defeat on penalties, ending their continental involvement at the earliest opportunity.
The continental exit is part of a broader slump in form. Chiefs have gone four matches without a win and have managed only two victories from their last eight games, placing coach Fernando da Cruz under growing scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Rather than signal any imminent change in management, Motaung Jr issued a firm statement of support for the Portuguese coach. "We have made significant progress in key areas of our sporting project, and while setbacks are a natural part of any ambitious journey, they do not alter our conviction in the direction we are taking," he said.
He stressed that the club's leadership is unified around a shared vision. "We remain aligned behind our objectives, our playing identity, and our long-term plan for success both domestically and on the continent," Motaung Jr added.
The sporting director also pushed back against calls for hasty decisions, arguing that sound judgement must take precedence over emotional responses. "Our responsibility is not to be guided solely by the emotion of an adverse result, but rather by careful analysis, stability, and strategic decision-making. We will continue to evaluate performances honestly, learn from this experience, and make the necessary improvements to ensure continued growth and competitiveness," he said.
The tone of the statement strongly suggests Da Cruz will retain his position for the foreseeable future, with the club's hierarchy opting for stability rather than a reactive managerial change.
Football analyst Uche Anuma, in an exclusive interview with Briefly News, offered a more cautious perspective on the situation. "Like I said earlier, sacking coaches quickly would affect consistency, but that aside, da Cruz has not shown promises of taking Chiefs to the next level," he said.
Anuma admitted he had reservations about the appointment from the outset
"I doubted his appointment but was open minded to see maybe he can deliver. The reverse is the case as we speak," he noted.
He also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Da Cruz's arrival at the club.
"I always like coaches to have a pre-season and get to know the team better, not throwing them in mid-season and expect them to do wonders," the analyst added.
Source: Briefly News