Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has reacted after his side crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup on Friday evening.
Amakhosi went down 3-2 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.
Before the match started, there was drama after Renaldo Leaner was replaced with Bruce Bvuma in goal. Amakhosi issued a statement just minutes before the game on why Leaner was not playing.
“Chiefs will be buoyed by the recovery of Brandon Petersen and Lebohang Maboe, whose presence adds depth and options for coach Fernando Da Cruz on the bench.
“However, Amakhosi will be without Renaldo Leaner, who sustained an injury during yesterday’s preparations for this crucial fixture,” the club said in a statement on X.
The explanation, however, did little to convince some Chiefs supporters, with several questioning the timing of the reported injury.
Some fans linked Leaner’s absence to his exchange with teammate Reeve Frosler following Amakhosi’s 1-0 defeat to Red Arrows in the first leg in Zambia.
Da Cruz on why Chiefs lost
After Chiefs lost on penalties, the French coach felt his side dominated the match, which ended 1-0 in their favour to force a shootout.
“When we win or lose we have to analyse the game very closely, and when you analyse this game it’s very clear that we dominated the game and we created a lot of chances to win. We are heading in the right direction,” Da Cruz said.
The match, played at the Moses Mabhida, attracted few supporters but the Chiefs coach has asked fans to rally behind the team.
“The fans must stay behind us and push us to improve. When you see the type of football the team played today it is very positive so we must keep on looking forward and I’m sure our luck will turn.”
Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their focus on the Carling Knockout Cup as Da Cruz looks to earn his first trophy in South Africa.