Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has clarified the club's policy on penalty takers after a mixed performance from the spot in their recent cup win. The French coach stated that responsibility for taking penalties rests with the players on the pitch, not with the coaching staff.
Da Cruz made the comments following his side's 2-1 Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final victory over Siwelele on 8 November. In that match, Mduduzi Shabalala missed a first-half penalty before Wandile Duba converted another spot-kick to level the scores. Asanele Velebayi then scored a late winner to secure progression to the semi-finals.
The coach emphasized that his squad should not become hesitant. He said several players are prepared to step up when a penalty is awarded, with the final decision depending on a player's confidence and judgement during the match. A single miss, Da Cruz noted, should not define a player's role or alter the team's overall strategy.
Kaizer Chiefs have been awarded few penalties since the season began, making each opportunity more critical. The team currently sits fifth in the Premier Soccer League with 14 points from nine games, a position they will look to improve as they address consistency issues. Their league record of three wins, five draws and one loss has yielded a goal difference of plus four, having scored 14 and conceded 10. However, they find themselves 12 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race. Their next challenge is a Carling Knockout Cup semi-final away to Chippa United on 28 November, kicking off at 20:00.
Shabalala, who missed the penalty against Siwelele, remains a key figure. He is the club's top scorer this season with two goals in six appearances. The team's overall form has been inconsistent, with three wins, five draws and one loss in the league. Their recent form across all competitions shows three wins and two losses from their last five matches. This sequence includes the 2-1 win over Siwelele, a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates on 31 October, a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy on 27 October, a 1-0 win against Red Arrows on 23 October, and a 1-0 loss to Red Arrows on 17 October. The club's current league position shows they are six points off the top of the table.
Da Cruz's message is clear: players must own the moment. With a key semi-final on the horizon, Chiefs will hope their prepared penalty takers are ready when called upon. The match against Chippa United kicks off on Saturday, 28 November. The club's next fixture after the cup tie is a league match against Cape Town City on 2 December.
First reported at soccerladuma.co.za
