New Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has identified three key areas of improvement for his team ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 53-year-old French tactician was a surprise choice for the vacant head coaching role after the co-coaching duo of Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef left the club.
Da Cruz pennned a two-year contract with a one-year option, effective 1 July 2026.
After the departure of Nasreddine Nabi earlier in his second season with the club after his debut Nedbank Cup-winning campaign, Kaze and Youssef were entrusted with the task of taking Chiefs back to CAF inter-club competition in which they guided Amakhosi to third-place, the highest finish since that heart-breaking 2019/20 season when they finished second with Mamelodi Sundowns pipping them to the title on the last day.
With trophy contention firmly on his mind after familiarity with the squad at his disposal during their 10-day pre-season tour of Spain, Da Cruz wants to improve his squad in departments like the wings, midfield and upfront.
“We need a striker, new wingers as well as an offensive midfielder,” said Da Cruz during the Toyota Cup presser at Naturena Village on Friday.
“We have good profiles already, though we have asked management to get us different profiles.
“We want to play different football and be less predictable [to other teams].”
Chiefs have so far made just three signings in Thabo Moloisane, Renaldo Leaner and Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko from Tanzanian giants Azam FC.
After Amakhosi left Spain with two draws and a defeat, Da Cruz will be looking to get first Chiefs win when they take on Zimbabwean champions Scottland FC in the third edition of the Toyota Cup tomorrow at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex in Rustenburg.
The exhibition match will provide a glimpse of Chiefs’ style of play when the new season kicks off against newbies Kruger United.
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