Fernando da Cruz unimpressed with pitch after CAF defeat

17.10.26 FT CAF Confederation Cup

Red Arrows

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Kaizer Chiefs

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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has voiced his displeasure with the pitch at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after their CAF Confederation Cup defeat to Red Arrows on Saturday.

The Glamour Boys fell to a solitary goal from Alassane Diarra in the second half, and will be looking to overturn the deficit in the return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium next week.

Notably, it was Chiefs' first match in the Confederation Cup this season as they received a bye in the first preliminary round, while the Zambian side dispatched FC Rouge of Madagascar 4-0 on aggregate before meeting Amakhosi.

Da Cruz bemoaned the lack of intensity in the first half, stating that his troops showed no heart, and believes they will secure a favourable result on home soil in a bid to book a spot in the group stage.

“We played a disappointing first half with no aggression, we were not there inside the duels. The second half was better, we didn't create a lot of chances but we made a better second half,” said the Chiefs boss.

"I want to congratulate Red Arrows for the game. We conceded one goal on a set-piece through a corner. But until now we are focused on the second leg, our game at home because we know that we are able to win the second leg.

Having stretched their winless run across all competitions to four games, the French tactician has dismissed the notion that he's under pressure, and somewhat attributed the defeat to Arrows to poor playing conditions.

“About the field, it was not a field to our advantage, it was not a very good field for us to develop our model game. But we must adapt, we must play with the conditions and the players adapted very well to the conditions,” Da Cruz added.

"The pressure was from the first day, we are under pressure everyday and we put pressure on ourselves everyday, so it's not a problem. But we just have a lack of efficiency.

"We must put more weight when we attack. We just need to work and we're working on that and it will turn on our side.

Whether Chiefs will beat Arrows in Durban and advance to the next stage of the competition remains to be seen, with the Zambians still unbeaten across all competitions this season.

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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