Da Cruz slams Chiefs defence: “No leadership, no character” after 3-2 scare
Fernando Da Cruz tore into his Kaizer Chiefs defenders after a nervy 3-2 Betway Premiership win over Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday night — accusing them of lacking leadership, character and a killer instinct at both ends of the pitch.
Amakhosi led, then leaked two goals and had to survive a late scare. Speaking through an interpreter, Da Cruz did not soften the message.
“In the first half we created a lot of chances but we did not score enough,” he said.
“In the second half they had two chances and they scored two goals. That is the problem. We have to work much harder on our defence so we do not gift those chances away.
“We create, but we don’t finish. Then the mistakes come. We do not have the killer instinct in either box — not in attack, not in defence.
“There is a lack of leadership and a lack of character in our defensive line. That has to be corrected. We need to work a lot.”
Amakhosi’s defence was manned by experienced players in Dillan Solomons, Zitha Kwinika, Inacio Miguel and Thabo Moloisane.
Da Cruz said the picture should change once injured players return, including Langelihle Phili and Flavio Da Silva, who missed Sunday’s game.
“We need to rebuild the defensive line and the attacking line. When everyone is back, we will have more options for the starting XI.”
A win on the board. A warning from the coach. And a defence that, in his words, still has no spine.
