Kaizer Chiefs would be top of the Betway Premiership table if it was not for mistakes in their last two matches, new coach Fernanda da Cruz said after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Richards Bay at KwaMashu.
After winning their opening two league games against Kruger United and Sekhukhune United, Chiefs were held at home by Mamelodi Sundowns and then away in Durban in the fourth game of their campaign.
They have eight points, trailing defending champions Orlando Pirates and Sundowns, who have 10.
“We’re disappointed because our team attacked during all of the 90 minutes and the other team defended for 90 minutes,” Da Cruz asserted after Chiefs were twice forced to come from behind.
“But we made two big mistakes and so we got one point today when normally it should be three points. I was disappointed at the nature of the goals that we conceded.”
The first was another goalkeeping howler from Brandon Petersen, caught trying to clear a back pass inside the opening 10 minutes, and the second from a corner before halftime. Both were netted by Nxeba Xulu, Richards Bay’s new striker.
“Now we have eight points (from four matches), but we should really have 12 points because against Sundowns also we made a mistake,” Da Cruz added.
“So we need to learn from our mistakes and to continue to work hard, to look forward.
“I have two different feelings about the game. I’m very disappointed but also happy about the performance of the team, because the team played well. But we cannot make these types of mistakes at this level.”
Da Cruz used all five his substitutes with 15 minutes still to play,
“The idea was to put on fresh players and speed also, because players that started the game were a little bit tired. But I’m happy about the mindset and the performance of players who came on.”