Kaizer Chiefs FC coach Fernando Da Cruz has addressed his team's recent dropped points as they gear up for a Premier Soccer League test against Siwelele this weekend. The Amakhosi sit third in the standings with eight points from four matches, but the manager believes they should have more.
Da Cruz's side drew their last two fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay. "When we play games, we always want to win," Da Cruz said. "At this stage (four games into the season), normally we would have 12 points, but in the last two games we lost four valuable points because we played (drew) against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay." Those results leave Chiefs five points behind early leaders Orlando Pirates in the title race.
Where will the match be played?
Sunday's match kicks off at 5:30 PM at Dobsonville Stadium, a temporary home for this fixture. Kaizer Chiefs normally play their home games at FNB Stadium, but they are relocating due to the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks scheduled for Saturday afternoon at their usual venue. The club has at least three other home grounds available across the country.
Da Cruz is not concerned about the change of scenery affecting fan support. He stated that the team consistently claims the lion's share of stadium attendance wherever they play. To acclimatize, the squad will hold a training session at Dobsonville Stadium. "We'll train at the stadium in the afternoon to feel the grass, get a feel for the environment and feel the size," Da Cruz explained.
What is the team's current form?
Chiefs enter this fifth league match of the campaign with a record of two wins and two draws. Their recent form reads DDWW, reflecting the two consecutive draws that prompted the coach's comments. The team has scored eight goals while conceding four, giving them a solid +4 goal difference. You can track their progress throughout the season on our standings page.
Despite the change of venue, the primary focus remains firmly on the pitch. Da Cruz made it clear that familiarizing themselves with Dobsonville is secondary. "It is not a main priority for us," he said. "The main priority for us is to focus on our performance and our mandate." The team's overall statistics are available for review on our stats section.
How will Chiefs approach the Siwelele game?
The match against Siwelele represents a chance to get back to winning ways and keep pace at the top of the table. With the season still young, every point is critical. Da Cruz's emphasis will be on translating training ground work into a decisive performance on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs will look to their attacking players to improve on their eight-goal tally. The manager's immediate task is to ensure his squad is mentally prepared for the challenge at a different stadium. Fans can view the full schedule of upcoming matches, including this weekend's fixture, on our fixtures list. The final whistle at Dobsonville on Sunday will signal the end of the team's opening five-match block.
