Bafana Bafana legend Tsepo Masilela has outlined his expectations for new Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz, saying the French-Portuguese tactician should aim to win silverware in his first season at Naturena.
Da Cruz was appointed as Amakhosi‘s new head coach last week, succeeding Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, whose contracts were not renewed despite guiding the club to a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership.
Speaking on Soccerbeat, Masilela said Da Cruz has the opportunity to exceed expectations and could even deliver trophies in his debut campaign.
“Chiefs haven’t won the league in a long time, and I’m not saying the coach can come in today and win it, but it’s possible,” Masilela said.
“We’ve seen coach Ouaddou come to Pirates and, in his first season, achieve success, even though he already had experience coaching in South Africa with Marumo Gallants.
“Coach Jose Riveiro also arrived at Pirates and won a double. Fernando Da Cruz can surprise a lot of people in South Africa.”
Masilela believes the immediate priority for Da Cruz should be narrowing the gap between Kaizer Chiefs and the country’s leading clubs while ending the club’s wait for silverware.
“I still believe a trophy or two is possible. This season they are back in the top eight, so right at the start of the campaign there’s a trophy to compete for in the MTN8,” he said.
Da Cruz told to win a trophy for Chiefs
“The previous coaches, Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, did a good job of building a foundation. From this position, we need to move forward and get closer to Pirates and Sundowns.”
“A trophy and more points this coming season, that should be the target. He has three domestic cup competitions and the league to compete in, so there are plenty of opportunities to achieve something.”
Kaizer Chiefs are yet to set a mandate for Fernando Da Cruz but a trophy or two will make him popular amongst fans.