Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Richards Bay boss explains venue switch, Da Cruz handed ultimatum & more

Latest Kaizer Chiefs news, including the full explanation from Richards Bay’s chairman on why their upcoming clash with Amakhosi has been moved, and the performance criteria Fernando Da Cruz must meet to keep his job.

Richards Bay chairman on venue switch for Chiefs clash

Kaizer Chiefs supporters heading to the club’s next Betway Premiership fixture will need to take note of a venue change after Richards Bay FC chairman Jomo Biyela explained why the match will no longer be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Natal Rich Boyz are scheduled to face Amakhosi on Wednesday, 26 August, with the match set for an evening kick-off. The fixture was initially due to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium but has since been moved to Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.

Biyela confirmed that ongoing maintenance work at Moses Mabhida was the root cause of the relocation, with adverse weather in Durban compounding the delays.

“We had to change because in the meeting, it was discussed that we must not rush this venue because there’s something that needs to be fixed,” said Biyela as per iDiski Times.

“We are going to need this venue for the upcoming matches. So, we thought it’s important to move the match to another venue here in Durban.”

Da Cruz faces the heat: The bar Amakhosi’s board has set

Off the pitch, pressure is quietly building around head coach Fernando Da Cruz, with reports outlining the minimum standards the Kaizer Chiefs hierarchy expect him to meet during his time in charge at Naturena.

The board will insist that Da Cruz elevates Chiefs to at least a runners-up finish during his tenure, a result that would return the club to CAF Champions League and restore their continental relevance. Success in a cup competition will also be a priority.

It has already been a difficult start on the cup front. Elimination in the MTN8 at the hands of Golden Arrows was a significant early blow, and those close to the club suggest that result has done little to ease scrutiny on the Frenchman.

Seven points from a possible nine in the Betway Premiership offers some breathing room, with wins over Kruger United and Sekhukhune United bracketing a creditable 1-1 draw away to Mamelodi Sundowns — but the broader expectations are clear.

Adding to the uncertainty in the Chiefs camp is the situation surrounding midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. The 26-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Mshini’, was an unused substitute in the stalemate against Sundowns, and his future remains unclear after he failed to get off the bench in that encounter.