Da Cruz Hints at More Chiefs Signings After Mokwana Arrival
Fernando Da Cruz has made it clear that Elias Mokwana will not be the last signing at Naturena, and he has told the club exactly what is missing.
Amakhosi announced the signing of the 27-year-old Bafana international this week. At the press conference ahead of Sunday’s Carling Black Label Knockout quarterfinal against Siwelele FC, Da Cruz was asked if more players would arrive in January.
“We still have time because we have two months of competition before January,” he said.
The coach said the club will only sign players who add value, and he pointed to a clear weakness.
“The club don’t want to recruit just to recruit. If we recruit it is to add value to the club,” he said.
“We know in some positions we have a lack of experience and we need experienced players to help our talented young players and support them every day in training and during the games.”
Mokwana joined as a free agent without a proper pre-season, after reaching a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with Tunisian giants Esperance. Da Cruz confirmed he will not play at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
“Mokwana is a very good player, an experienced player who has been in the Bafana team. So he has a lot of quality.
“We know the beginning of the season has been a bit tough (for him). But we have a Fifa break (after the Siwelele game).
“So during the Fifa break we will have time to work with him and after the Fifa break it will be time to integrate him step by step,” added Da Cruz
Chiefs beat Siwelele 3-2 in the league, but Da Cruz does not want his players to rely on it. That game was played under different coaches.
Siwelele sacked Lehlohonolo Seema and assistant Willem Jackson on 7 September after the loss to Chiefs, and caretaker Godfrey Motsoetsa has had mixed results.
“We have asked the players to forget the PSL (Premiership) game against them, because these are two different competitions and they have a new coach.
“There will be a different starting eleven so we must just forget that game, and just be focused on the way we want to play in this game.”
