Wandile Duba: Da Cruz tells Chiefs striker what to improve

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has outlined what striker Wandile Duba needs to become an elite player at the club.

Duba has been the match winner for Chiefs in the Carling Knockout Cup so far with a hat-trick in the Round of 16 against TS Galaxy before scoring a penalty when they beat Siwelele FC 2-1 in the quarter-final on Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz and his players in pre-season. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

The 22-year-old is Chiefs’ top scorer with seven goals from nine matches, with his other three goals coming in the league.

Da Cruz on what Duba must improve

However, his coach has identified a key shortcoming that he wants the young striker to work on if he has to be relied upon to lead the line.

“He (Duba) must continue with the same diligence every day; he must continue to have this mentality to want to kill inside the box,” said Da Cruz as per KickOff.

Kaizer Chiefs' Wandile Duba challenges for the ball against Siwelele. — Kaizer Chiefs’ Wandile Duba challenges for the ball against Siwelele. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“He must continue to work because if he can score in the cups, he should be able to score in the league. But he has not played a lot in the league because he has been a little bit injured, like at the start of the season

“So he must keep the same diligence to want to score in both competitions (cup games and league games).”

Lack of goals hampering Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs have not been prolific in the league with 14 goals scored in nine matches while leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have managed 27 and second-placed Orlando Pirates 21.

Wandile Duba celebrates one of his three goals in the Carling Knockout against TS Galaxy. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

That has contributed to their slow start to the season as they are in fifth position on the table with 14 points, 12 behind Sundowns and 11 adrift of Pirates.

Duba has been carrying the goal scoring burden and Da Cruz will hope that his pep talk bears fruit as the supporting cast have either fluffed their lines or not been available due to injuries.