Cedric Kaze outlines Kaizer Chiefs’ path to recovery after derby defeat

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze has laid out a clear plan for the team to rebound from their recent poor form, which was compounded by a significant loss to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby.

The Amakhosi have been struggling, losing four of their last five matches and securing only a single victory during that period. This downturn follows a promising start to the season and has seen the Soweto giants’ momentum falter at a critical time.

The team’s latest setback was a heavy 3-0 defeat against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday. This loss is part of a troubling sequence that has seen Chiefs eliminated from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup, while also damaging their Premier Soccer League campaign.

With their form in sharp decline, the club is now under pressure to devise a strategy to reverse its fortunes and get back to winning ways.

Kaze on best way to bounce back

Taking ownership of the team’s struggles, Kaze emphasised the need for hard work and forward focus. “I take full responsibility because I am the leader of the team,” he stated, according to Times Live.

“The only way to bounce back is to keep on working; the only way to redeem ourselves is to pick up points in the next games. We need to go out there and show them what happened against Pirates was an accident.”

#KaizerChiefs coach Cedric Kaze says his side must rebuild their confidence following a 3-0 loss to #OrlandoPirates in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/sUa9meGJIL

— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) March 2, 2026

“We need to keep our heads up and work hard and go to the next games and try to pick up as many points as possible,” Kaze continued. “There is no point in going back and saying I should have done this or that.”

Focus shifts to Richards Bay

Kaze made it clear that dwelling on the derby loss is not an option. “The game is done and dusted, and we will leave the analysis to you [media] in terms of who should have played or not because the result was not positive,” he added.

“My focus is going to be the next game against Richards Bay and not on what we should have done against Pirates.”

As Chiefs prepare for their upcoming away match against Richards Bay on Tuesday, the coaching staff faces the challenge of rebuilding the players’ confidence and instilling a winning mentality to navigate this difficult period.