Kaizer Chiefs: When will Fernando Da Cruz join the Soweto giants for pre-season?

Kaizer Chiefs recently confirmed Fernando Da Cruz as their new coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The position fell vacant after the release of Cedric Kaze and Cedric Kaze after their contracts expired. The duo took over the running of the club following the sacking of coach Nasreddine Nabi just six games into the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season.

During their reign, Amakhosi finished third on the Premier Soccer League for the first time in six years. However, they struggled to reach the latter stages of the domestic competitions as well as the CAF Confederation Cup.

The management felt a change was needed at the top explaining the decision to let them leave a couple of weeks ago.

Where is Fernando Da Cruz?

Despite taking over a couple of weeks ago, Fernando Da Cruz has not yet reported. Why so?

“The only reason Da Cruz is yet to arrive at Naturena is because of his contractual obligations with the Moroccan Football Association, which is set to expire at the end of the month,” Soccer Laduma reported.

“If our informant’s information is anything to go by, it appears that the Association are unwilling to release the coach before the expiry of his employment period.

“The coach is not here yet. Yes, he has signed for the club and joined as head coach but they haven’t released him in Morocco yet. He is still under contract and there they don’t play; they need you to finish off your contract before you can leave. For now, as the players are already here, the assistant coach (Mahmoud Abbas) and the physical trainer (Julien Le Heran) will be the ones taking charge of the team until the new coach arrives.

“The coach’s contract in Morocco ends on 30th June, and he will only join the team after that,” they concluded.