Amakhosi were knocked out in the second preliminary round after losing 3-2 on penalties to Zambia’s Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, despite winning the second leg 1-0 to level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate.
The early exit has raised questions about Da Cruz’s position, but Motaung Jr has publicly backed the French coach and his technical team, pointing to the progress being made under their leadership.
Motaung Jr reaffirms confidence in Da Cruz
In a statement released on Saturday, Motaung Jr stressed that the club remained committed to its current technical leadership and long-term football strategy.
“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 continued to have the club’s trust as they implemented a football philosophy and development pathway intended to deliver sustainable success.
The sporting director also praised the team’s professionalism, work ethic and commitment to improvement, despite the disappointment of missing out on the Confederation Cup group stage.
Injuries and missed chances contribute to disappointment
Chiefs entered the decisive second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first meeting in Zambia.
Bradley Cross scored in the second half to give the Soweto club a 1-0 victory on the night and restore parity on aggregate. However, Chiefs were unable to secure qualification in the penalty shootout, losing 3-2.
The elimination has intensified scrutiny of the team’s performances, particularly after an early exit from the MTN8 competition earlier in the campaign.
Motaung Jr acknowledged the disappointment but pointed to injuries affecting the squad and the players’ effort during the contest.
He maintained that the club would assess performances honestly, learn from setbacks and make improvements where necessary rather than abandon its broader sporting direction.
Chiefs call for unity among supporters
The sporting director also appealed to the club’s supporters to remain united during a difficult period.
Motaung Jr recognised the frustration caused by the continental exit but insisted that success should be built through consistency, resilience and commitment to a clear strategy rather than judged by one match or competition.
“Now is the time for unity, not division,” he said, expressing confidence that the foundations being laid would eventually deliver the results supporters expect.
His comments amount to a clear public vote of confidence in Da Cruz, although the coach will still be expected to turn the club’s stated ambitions into improved results on the pitch.
Focus shifts to domestic competition
With their continental campaign over, Kaizer Chiefs must now concentrate on domestic football.
The club are scheduled to face TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 on Tuesday, 27 October, offering Da Cruz and his players an immediate opportunity to respond to their disappointment.
Chiefs are aiming to build consistency in the Betway Premiership while continuing their pursuit of domestic silverware.
For now, Motaung Jr’s message is clear: the club intends to maintain its confidence in Da Cruz and continue working towards its long-term objectives rather than make an immediate change in direction following the Confederation Cup setback.