Kaizer Chiefs FC head coach Fernando Da Cruz is set to take stock of his current playing staff before sanctioning any further transfer activity, according to former midfielder Frank Makua.
What did the former Chiefs star say?
Speaking to KickOff on Friday, Makua insisted that Da Cruz will prioritise giving the players from last season’s squad a proper run-out before green-lighting any new arrivals. “So far I think they want to give the players of last season a chance, because most of the players did not get a chance last season,” Makua explained. “The new coach is there as well, so he wants to see who he can use in that squad.”
Makua added that any further reinforcements are more likely to arrive later in the transfer window once Da Cruz has had time to judge the squad’s strengths and weaknesses. “So maybe later during the course of the season, when the window is open, he will try to beef up wherever he wants to beef up,” he said. “But for now I think he's going to give everyone a chance.”
Why it matters for Kaizer Chiefs FC
With fewer senior reinforcements arriving than many supporters expected, the pressure is now squarely on the club’s younger players to step up. Makua specifically pointed to attacking midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi as one of the rising stars who must seize this opportunity to stake a claim in Da Cruz’s plans. “Players like Mfundo Vilakazi will have to step up,” Makua stressed.
The former midfielder also reserved high praise for Lebohang Maboe, expressing disappointment that the striker missed out on recent international recognition despite his consistent performances at club level. “I was so impressed with Maboe, and I think he deserved a chance to go to the World Cup but unfortunately…for me he deserves a chance to be in that national team squad,” Makua added.
What’s next for Da Cruz’s side?
The pre-season schedule is winding down, with Chiefs scheduled to face Scottland FC in a high-profile Toyota Cup friendly this Sunday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. If the current squad fails to impress in these final preparation games, the board may be forced to revisit their quiet approach in the transfer market. For now, though, the message from the camp is one of patience and internal development rather than immediate squad surgery.
Da Cruz’s approach reflects a broader trend among South African coaches who are choosing to trust homegrown talent before splashing out on expensive imports. The early returns from pre-season suggest that the coach is not in a rush to overhaul the squad, but the clock is ticking on his first competitive outing.
