Chiefs were knocked out by Zambia’s Red Arrows on penalties after the teams finished their two-legged preliminary-round tie level at 1-1 on aggregate.
The South African side won the second leg 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 23 October, through Bradley Cross, but lost the subsequent penalty shootout 3-2 to miss out on a place in the group stage.
The elimination has raised questions among supporters about Da Cruz’s future, particularly after the club’s early exit from the MTN8 competition earlier in the campaign.
Motaung Jr expresses confidence in Da Cruz
Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr moved to address the uncertainty by publicly backing Da Cruz and his technical team.
In a statement, Motaung Jr urged supporters to maintain perspective and remain committed to the club’s broader vision, stressing that success should not be judged solely by the outcome of one match or competition.
“As a Club, we would like to reaffirm our full support for, and confidence in, the Head Coach and the entire technical team,” Motaung Jr said.
He added that the coaching staff retained the club’s trust as they worked to implement a football philosophy and development pathway designed to deliver sustainable success.
Motaung Jr also praised the team’s professionalism, work ethic and commitment to improvement, acknowledging that injuries had affected the squad.
Missed chances prove costly against Red Arrows
Chiefs had opportunities to secure qualification against Red Arrows but were unable to turn their performance into enough goals across the tie.
Although Bradley Cross’s second-leg strike levelled the aggregate score, the contest ultimately went to penalties, where Red Arrows held their nerve to progress.
The result leaves Chiefs without a place in the Confederation Cup group stage, adding to the pressure on the technical team to deliver improved performances in domestic competitions.
Motaung Jr acknowledged that setbacks were part of an ambitious sporting project but insisted that the club remained committed to its objectives.
He said Chiefs would continue to assess performances, learn from the experience and make improvements where necessary, while maintaining their playing identity and long-term ambitions.
Chiefs urge supporters to remain united
The sporting director also addressed the disappointment among the club’s supporters, recognising the high expectations associated with one of South Africa’s most followed football teams.
Motaung Jr called for unity rather than division, expressing confidence that the foundations being laid by the current technical team could deliver future success.
His statement represents a clear public show of support for Da Cruz, although the coach will still face scrutiny over the team’s results and progress during the remainder of the season.
Chiefs must now concentrate on their domestic campaign and demonstrate that the club’s long-term vision can translate into consistent performances and results on the pitch.