Da Cruz warns Chiefs will have it tough in Zambia

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz views Zambian team Red Arrows as tough opponents, expecting them to play in transition and also rely on long balls.

The two face-off in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday (3pm). The return leg is billed for Moses Mabhida Stadium next Friday (6pm).

“We will be facing a strong team, with strong players; they play a lot in transition and long balls as well,” Da Cruz said on the sidelines of the Carling Knockout launch and draw at Langhams Lifestyle Estate in Fourways on Wednesday night.

As continental football is synonymous with hostile atmosphere and bad reception, Chiefs coach sounded somewhat unsettled about the conditions they may encounter in Ndola.

“About the conditions [in Zambia], we don’t know as yet; maybe they won’t be good, but we will go to Zambia with the intention to return home with a good result so that we are in a positive mood in the second leg,” Da Cruz said.

The coach also revealed that their injured players are still not fit to play, saying they were likely to be more or less the same players that they fielded in Tuesday’s 1-all draw against Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium, where many slated him for starting the game with six natural defenders amid the injury crisis .

“It will be more or less the same team with one or two changes, but we have not recovered our injured players and it will take a little bit of time to have them back. I am confident in the players who are available,” Da Cruz said.

Chiefs have played three straight draws in the domestic league and this Confederation Cup game offers them a chance to return to winning ways ahead of the Carling Knockout first round clash with TS Galaxy.