Kaizer Chiefs head coach Da Cruz has provided an injury update ahead of the club’s CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round clash against Zambian side Red Arrows.
The Glamour Boys are set to travel to Zambia for the first leg, with Da Cruz confirming that the squad is unlikely to receive a boost from their injured players ahead of the continental assignment.
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“If we compare the squad [against Stellenbosch], it will be more or less the same, maybe one or two changes, but we will not recover our injured players. It will take a bit of time, but I’m confident in our squad,” Da Cruz said.
Chiefs face a demanding schedule this month, with the CAF Confederation Cup, Carling Knockout Cup and the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates all on the agenda.
Da Cruz acknowledged the challenges that come with the busy fixture list but believes the upcoming matches could help his team build momentum and establish a different run of form as opposed to what’s transipred in the league with five draws in six games.
“We have many games this month, it will not be very easy; Carling Cup, CAF, the Soweto Derby at the end of the month, so we start these competitions, but it can allow the team to be in a new dynamic,” he said.
‘We Want To Come Back With A Good Result’
Da Cruz admitted that the playing conditions in Zambia could present an additional challenge, but stressed that his side would travel with the objective of securing a positive result before the return leg.
“It’s a strong team, with strong players, they play offensive transitions, they play long ball as well, we don’t know very well the conditions, it might not be good, but we’ll go to Zambia to come back with a good result, to be in a positive mood for the game at home,” he added.
Chiefs will be hoping to put themselves in a strong position in the first leg before welcoming the Zambian side for the return fixture, as they look to progress further in the CAF Confederation Cup.