Fernando da Cruz makes PSG, Arsenal example as pressure mounts

23.10.26 12:00 CAF Confederation Cup

Kaizer Chiefs

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Red Arrows

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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has pointed out to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain as prime illustrations that patience is a virtue, amid mounting pressure in the hot seat at Naturena.

The Glamour Boys will be looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they tackle Red Arrows in the reverse fixture of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

Chiefs are currently enduring a four-game winless run across all competitions, and will be forced to dig deep on home soil as failure to make the net bulge will result in an early exit, while conceding an away goal could prove costly.

With pressure intensifying in the early stages of his tenure as the Chiefs boss, da Cruz says he was aware of the weight of the job when he put pen to paper, and insists the supporters' happiness is of paramount importance.

“From the first day that I signed with Kaizer Chiefs I knew that the pressure is very high, and I put pressure on myself everyday because I'm very demanding of myself,” said the French tactician.

"We try step by step to improve the level. We are not getting results we and the fans expect at the moment, but I'm focused on the job, we are focused on the team to improve our level and to get the results that we want.

"The most important thing for me is that the fans must be happy, so we are only focused on our job.

The former LOSC Lille B coach is drawing inspiration from English champions Arsenal and Champions League holders PSG, noting that the two teams went through a rough patch before ultimately tasting their current success.

“Everyone is free to think what they want, the most important thing for us is to be inside the project and to continue to develop our club because we are only focused on that,” da Cruz added.

"I take an example of Arsenal, it took seven years with Arteta to win one title, it took Paris Saint-Germain 13 years to win one Champions League. So, when we want to develop a project in a club it takes time.

Having reached the group stage of the Confederation Cup under the guidance of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef last season, it remains to be seen whether Chiefs can replicate the feat.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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Kaizer Chiefs

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CAF Confederation Cup