Fernando da Cruz: Kaizer Chiefs coach fires title warning to Pirates and Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has made it clear that he is at the club to challenge for titles from the beginning.

Da Cruz started his two-year reign as Chiefs coach on July 1 and while some have claimed that the Glamour Boys are still far away from challenging Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for the biggest prizes, he thinks otherwise.

Kaizer Chiefs in training during pre-season in Spain. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

The Frenchman wants to hit the ground running and build onto the third place of last season by knocking both Pirates and Sundowns off their perch given the two have been the most dominant force in the Premier Soccer League in the last four years.

Fernando da Cruz makes title promise

“I am grateful to the chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung and the Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr for expressing confidence in me and I will give my level best to do a good job. I am totally committed to Kaizer Chiefs,” Da Cruz said as quoted by the Chiefs website.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz during a past training session. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

“I know I am working for the biggest club in the country, one with a lot of fans all over Africa, not just South Africa. I want us to start the season well to give our millions of fans a good feeling, because they deserve it, and have a good season and challenge for titles.”

Da Cruz is currently with his squad in Spain where they are in pre-season camp. Chiefs started their camp with a 1-1 draw against Scottish giants Rangers on Sunday, having seen Etiosa Ighodaro score in the 77^th minute before they conceded the equaliser 12 minutes later.

Kaizer Chiefs playing against Rangers in Spain. Image: Rangers

Chiefs coach impressed with pre-season

The Chiefs coach is impressed with the environment in Spain and believes it will provide his team with the best conditions to prepare well for the new season.

Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung and coach Fernando da Cruz. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

“The conditions for the camp in Spain are excellent. The weather is very hot and we have three challenging friendly games, which I believe is good preparation for us,” said Da Cruz, whose team has matches against Saudi club Al Kholood on Wednesday, before playing Spanish La Liga outfit, Elche, on Saturday.

Chiefs have not won the PSL since 2015 with the third place of last season their best performance since finishing second in 2019-20 and Da Cruz has a massive job to turn the club from pretenders into contenders.