Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Health scare for Da Cruz, Abrahams confusion clarified & more

Latest Kaizer Chiefs news, including a health concern for coach Fernando da Cruz and why Faiz Abrahams was in the starting lineup against Stellenbosch before being dropped.

Sheppard reveals health scare for Da Cruz

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard has revealed that coach Fernando da Cruz fell ill during his team’s 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday.

Chiefs came from a goal down to rescue a point with Mduduzi Shabalala scoring the equaliser after Sinoxolo Kwayiba had put the visitors ahead.

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard explains why coach Fernando Da Cruz was not at the post-match press conference. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/pAbR2Vg64J

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) October 13, 2026

After the game, Da Cruz did not show up for his media duties with Sheppard handed the responsibility and the assistant coach has revealed why his boss was missing.

“The coach has fallen ill. He was vomiting. So he is with the doctors, checking on him to see if he is okay,” said Sheppard.

Kaizer Chiefs clarify Abrahams confusion

Meanwhile, Sheppard has weighed in on the confusion that saw Faiz Abrahams named in the starting lineup before his name was then removed.

From the initial starting XI released by the club’s WhatsApp channel, Abrahams had been scheduled to play against his parent club but it looks like Chiefs realised their mistake and corrected it.

“I don’t want to comment too much about it. I don’t really know too much, leaning up to it,” he stated. “Obviously we had prepared the game with him and then there were some issues and we couldn’t start him.”

Abrahams is currently on loan at Chiefs and as such, he was not supposed to play against his parent club, which explains the confusion.

Coach on what was lacking against Stellies

Sheppard also gave his account of the game and why he feels Chiefs did not get all three points which leaves them nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and eight adrift of second-placed Orlando Pirates.

“In the early parts of the game, we controlled without possession. We saw the moments where we were getting joy with Vila [Mfundo Vilakazi] and Shaba [Mduduzi Shabalala] in the pockets,” he said.

Dillon Sheppard’s assessment of Kaizer Chiefs’ performance against Stellenbosch. ✌️ ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/MmYOrWT2Fg

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) October 13, 2026

“It is just we lacked a little bit of control and we get a one-on-one chance with [Wandile] Duba. We did really well and we don’t take the chance and they get the chance with Kwayiba and it could have been 1-1.

“Second half we controlled the ball especially in the wider areas. Centrally, we had moments where were not attracting their sixes deep enough so we could find those pockets and then we had good moments and just not consistent enough.”