Fernando da Cruz: Big week for Kaizer Chiefs mentor

Kaizer Chiefs mentor Fernando da Cruz is facing his biggest week in South Africa since arriving at the start of the season.

Da Cruz is under immense pressure from a section of Amakhosi fans, especially after his team crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Glamour Boys were sent packing by Zambian outfit Red Arrows who beat them 3-2 penalties following a 1-1 aggregate score after 90 minutes.

Soon after that, there were growing calls for the management to immediately sack Da Cruz and replace it with someone else.

Apart from the results that have not been coming forth, Da Cruz’s team selections and tactics are also under the spotlight.

FERNANDO DA CRUZ FACES HIS BIGGEST WEEK AS KAIZER CHIEFS MENTOR

Now, following the team’s failure to advance to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, Da Cruz understands that Chiefs have to bounce back.

Furthermore, the fact that Chiefs also missed out on the MTN8 after losing to Golden Arrows makes things even more complicated.

That’s two trophies down the drain within the space of two months, and there are no guarantees that the Soweto giants will win the league.

Now, the realest Amakhosi can dream of, at least at this stage, is the Carling Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup.

Chiefs welcome TS Galaxy to the FNB Stadium in the Last 16 on Tuesday night, and they will quickly shift their focus to the Soweto Derby.

Da Cruz is under pressure to advance to the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout Cup, and he knows he cannot afford to lose to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates on Saturday.