Da Cruz: Kaizer Chiefs Should Have 12 Points, Not Eight

JOHANNESBURG – For Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz, an unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season is not enough.

Chiefs have collected eight points from their opening four league matches after winning two and drawing two, but Da Cruz believes the number should be 12.

The French coach’s assessment is revealing because it shows the standard he has set for Amakhosi. While four matches without defeat represents a solid beginning, Da Cruz is looking at the campaign through the points they believe they should have won rather than the points they have managed to collect.

Speaking to the media at Naturena on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s clash with Siwelele FC, Da Cruz identified the draws against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay as missed opportunities.

“When we play games, we always want to win, so normally we expect to have 12 points,” Da Cruz said.

“On the two draws, we lost four points because against Mamelodi and against Richards Bay. We lost four points because we could win those games.”

The comments underline the fine margins that have shaped Chiefs’ opening weeks under Da Cruz.

ALSO READ: Da Cruz Praises Chiefs’ ‘Amazing’ Mindset After Sundowns Draw

The draw against Sundowns was a 1-1 result, while Chiefs were held to a 2-2 draw by Richards Bay on 26 August. In the latter match, Chiefs had the greater share of possession and registered 20 shots compared with Richards Bay’s 13, but defensive mistakes ultimately prevented them from turning their control into three points.

That frustration has become a recurring theme for Da Cruz.

After the Richards Bay match, he lamented the points dropped and criticised the defensive errors that allowed their opponents to score twice.

The result left Chiefs unbeaten in the league, but it also reinforced the coach’s belief that his side must become more ruthless if they are to challenge consistently near the top of the table.

Eight points is not the target

There is an important distinction between being unbeaten and being satisfied.

Chiefs have avoided defeat in all four of their Betway Premiership matches, but two draws mean they have surrendered four points from winning positions or winnable encounters, according to their coach’s assessment.

For a club with Chiefs’ ambitions, those dropped points could become increasingly significant as the season develops.

The early league table is already beginning to take shape, with the Soweto giants looking to remain within touching distance of the leading sides. Their next fixture also allows them to apply pressure on the teams above them, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

But before Chiefs can concern themselves with the leaders, Da Cruz knows his team must first take care of business against Siwelele.

Siwelele presents the next test

The match has undergone a series of venue changes before finally being confirmed for Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Chiefs’ traditional home venue, FNB Stadium, is unavailable because it will host the Springboks’ rugby clash with the All Blacks. The fixture was subsequently moved to Royal Bafokeng Stadium before Dobsonville was confirmed as the final venue.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 6 September at 17:30.

That makes the encounter more than another early-season fixture for Da Cruz.

It is an opportunity to turn his demand for 12 points into action.

A victory would take Chiefs to 11 points from their opening five league matches and keep them firmly among the early contenders. It would also allow the club to move beyond the frustration of the Sundowns and Richards Bay draws.

ALSO READ: Kwinika: Chiefs Must Maintain Momentum Against Richards Bay

Yet Siwelele will not simply be expected to make up the numbers.

The two sides have already met in the recent past, with Siwelele beating Chiefs 2-0 in April. That result offers a reminder that the fixture carries its own threat, regardless of Chiefs’ stronger start to the new campaign.

Da Cruz will therefore be looking for more than another unbeaten result.

He wants a team that converts control into victories, chances into goals and promising performances into points.

For now, Chiefs have eight points.

Their coach believes they should have 12.

On Sunday, Amakhosi have the chance to show whether that expectation is justified.