Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz is unsure whether his team can challenge Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates for the Betway Premiership title this season.
Amakhosi are currently seven points behind log leaders Sundowns, although they have a game in hand.
Speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Stellenbosch FC, Da Cruz revealed that he watched Sundowns and Pirates battle it out in the MTN8 final over the weekend.
The Chiefs coach believes his team showed they could compete against the Brazilians when the two sides played to a 1-1 draw on August 15. Da Cruz however, admits that maintaining that level of performance throughout the season remains a challenge.
“I watched a very good game this weekend between the teams that have achieved the title for the moment,” he said as per The Citizen.
“We saw at the beginning of the season that we could compete against Sundowns in one game [Chiefs drew 1-1 with Sundowns on August 15].
“But our objective is to compete through the whole season, to repeat this kind of performance to compete against them in the PSL. For that [whether Chiefs can challenge], I don’t have an answer if we can or not,” Da Cruz said.
The Frenchman has nevertheless expressed satisfaction with the football Chiefs have played so far this season.
Da Cruz confident Chiefs can compete
He believes his players have adapted well to his tactical approach but insists that improving their efficiency in front of goal and eliminating individual errors will be crucial to their progress.
Da Cruz said the team used the recent FIFA international break to work on those weaknesses as they look to become more consistent defensively.
“I am very happy with the football we have played, the players understand our game model very well,” he stated.
“We have played quality football but there are weaknesses we have worked on. That is efficiency in the box to score more goals, and [cut out] individual mistakes.
“We need more clean sheets and you won’t concede if you don’t make these mistakes.”
Chiefs and Da Cruz will now turn their attention to Stellenbosch as they look to collect maximum points and close the gap on the teams above them.
With Sundowns and Pirates setting the pace, Amakhosi will need to turn their promising performances into consistent results if they are to remain in the title conversation.