Da Cruz gets candid on why Pirates have left Chiefs behind

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has explained the difference between his team and rivals Orlando Pirates.

Da Cruz watched his Chiefs side dominate the first half but fail to utilise their opportunities in last Saturday’s Soweto derby, losing 2-1, in what was their first defeat in the league this season.

Chiefs are now 11 points behind Pirates on the league table and 12 adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, effectively ruling them out of the title race.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Fernando da Cruz. Image: Orlando Pirates

Da Cruz, who took charge of Chiefs this season, has enumerated why the Glamour Boys remain behind Pirates, who are the league champions and look set to battle for another title this term, while his team struggles for consistency.

Why are Pirates doing better than Chiefs?

“The difference between Pirates and us, they have more experienced players and they have more consistency because of that,” said Da Cruz as quoted by iDiski Times.

Yanela Mbuthuma of Orlando Pirates celebrates his goal in the Soweto derby. Image: Orlando Pirates

“Our young players need to develop this consistency game by game. It takes time, it’s a process we need to take step by step and for the moment we’re not there. We will work hard to reach this step.”

The French coach admits it will take time for the team to hit top form and cautioned against expecting consistency and positive results from a side that is still growing.

Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates with the ball as Kaizer Chiefs' Brandon Petersen closes him down in the Soweto Derby. — Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates with the ball as Kaizer Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen closes him down in the Soweto Derby. Image: Orlando Pirates

Da Cruz calls for patience with his team

“We must use this type of game [Soweto derby] to grow up. The players must reach the next steps, but the players must understand we played well, we did good things, but it’s not enough. We must reach the next steps now,” he added.

Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala — Kaizer Chiefs’ Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba, Image – Kaizer Chiefs

“We must continue to work but it takes time, it takes time – it’s not overnight these things can be fixed. We cannot get experience from one day to the next day. It’s training, many games and we must continue to learn, with competitions of different levels.

“I want to say, we have a lack of experience, but I am very proud of my players. When you analyse the first half, it was a masterclass against this team. In this game, I’m proud of my players – against this team we could control the game and the ball.”