Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Da Cruz unsettled with Downs’ date, transfer updates, & more

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Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Da Cruz unsettled with Downs’ date, transfer updates, & more

Latest Kaizer Chiefs news in the last 24 hours, including Luke Baartman’s role at the club, Fernando Da Cruz opens up about playing Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday and more.

Bartman’s role explained

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says Luke Baartman’s development will benefit from playing in different roles and explained why he’s become a key part of his plans.

Baartman, 20, played seven games last season after being lured to the club from Cape Town Spurs where he emerged as one of the brightest talents in South African football.

“Modern football players can play in many positions, young players like Baartman, it’s important to give him more tools to play in different roles,” Da Cruz told the media.

“The most important thing for him is to read the game, knowing what to do now in this situation where he plays.

Da Cruz went on to explain why the Amajita star managed to turn his side during the pre-season in Spain and continuing into the competitive fixtures.

Luke Baartman of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Golden Arrows.
Luke Baartman of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Golden Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“It’s a player with good technical qualities that’s interesting, and also a player with good explosively when he plays football, a young player who listens to what the coaches ask which is very important to me.

“The most important thing for young players is to listen to what the coach wants, sometimes young players act experiences, so for me, that’s what’s good, he understands what I want.

“Bur with his lack of experience he will need time to recover, so there will be moments in the season where we need to protect him.”

Da Cruz unsettled with Downs date

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz admits the timing of their looming clash with Mamelodi Sundowns couldn’t be worse. Fresh off a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, Amakhosi face a punishing schedule that leaves little room to breathe.

“I’m a little disappointed because on the one hand it happens so early, and on the other hand it happens at a time when we’re going to play three games in six days, whereas all the other PSL teams are going to play three games in seven days,” he told the media.

“I’m a little disappointed because we have a day of recovery at least against a very good team that won the Champions League. So I’m a little disappointed for these two reasons that this match is happening on Saturday

Despite his frustrations, Da Cruz insisted there would be no excuses from his squad when they face the Brazilians.

Fernando Da Cruz,
Fernando Da Cruz, Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“But we have to play it, and we’re going to play it – but it’s not a problem, it’s not excuses. This game we’ll play because we know for the moment that it’s like that and we can change nothing.

“It’s the best team in Africa because they won the Champions League last season, but we’ll try to put our level up to the Champions League level on Saturday. This game will give us very good information about what the team is able to do,” Da Cruz concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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