Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Da Cruz sets demands, Baartman's emotional Kaizer Jr tribute & more

Kaizer Chiefs news, as Fernando da Cruz reflects on a winning Betway Premiership debut and Luke Baartman reveals the touching moment he shared with Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr after being named Man of the Match.

Da Cruz hails squad depth after winning debut

Fernando da Cruz could not have asked for a more encouraging start to life as Kaizer Chiefs head coach, with Amakhosi claiming a commanding 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Kruger United at a packed Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Flavio Silva broke the deadlock inside the opening seven minutes, before Wandile Duba came off the bench to score twice after the break and send Chiefs to the top of the Betway Premiership table.

It was not entirely straightforward, however. Kruger United drew level through a fine finish from Khethukuthula Ndlovu just before the interval, giving the newly-promoted side a share of the spoils heading into the break. Da Cruz was also forced into a reshuffle at half-time after Da Silva picked up an injury, with Duba introduced as his replacement — a change that proved decisive.

“What we saw today, it is what we expect for every game but sometimes we need to manage the tempo, slow impact, slow impact, defend the tempo of the game but we will learn step by step and we will increase,” he said after the match as per Soccer Laduma.

“It’s very important because for the moment it’s not the starting eleven, it’s a squad with all the players important and the players who go in today, they were very important and they permit us to keep us to keep the level very high,” he added.

Baartman thanks Kaizer Jr and grandmother

For 20-year-old midfielder Luke Baartman, Saturday’s win over Kruger United carried a deeply personal significance beyond the three points.

Baartman was named Man of the Match for an industrious display in midfield — his reward coming on the back of a difficult previous season in which he started just one game, the final fixture against Chippa United, across seven total appearances.

Luke Baartman playing for Kaizer Chiefs against Kruger United. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

With new coach Da Cruz handing him an immediate start in the 2026/27 opener, the youngster responded emphatically — and was visibly moved when collecting his award.

He revealed that Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr had been a constant source of support during his struggles for game time, regularly messaging him to keep his head up when he was left out of the squad.

“Last season, because I didn’t get a lot of chances to play, he always messaged me when I’m not in the team to keep going, to keep my head up. That’s all,” he told SuperSport TV.

“I want to give thanks to the man above. I think this one is going straight to my granny, to my community. It’s been a tough season, last season. I’ve only been playing five games, started the last.

“I just want to give thanks to the coach for believing in me and trusting me, and thanks to my teammates as well.”