Da Cruz seeks clinical edge and hopes to end winless run in the Stellenbosch clash

Amakhosi are winless in their last two league games and have won only one of their last five matches, a worrying stat for a team that wants to challenge strongly for honours. Before the international break, they were held to draws by Polokwane City and Golden Arrows respectively. Da Cruz says lack of efficiency inside the box has been their shortcoming.

"After the seventh game, I am happy with the quality of the football that we play. We played very good football. But we have a lack of efficiency inside the box to score more goals. The points that we have lost are because of this lack of efficiency inside the box; we don't score more goals, so we will work on that. But we play good football, and we must keep it this way," said Da Cruz.

READ: Kolo Touré hails younger brother Yaya’s inspirational Champions League journey

Amakhosi are currently fourth on the log, with 13 points from seven matches but behind Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu respectively. 

Stellenbosch has shown dominance against Chiefs in recent games; they are unbeaten against Amakhosi in the last three, having beaten them in the last two. But Da Cruz says this is a different ball game altogether.

Chiefs are also starting their journey in the CAF Confederation Cup later this week, as they will be away to Red Arrows from Zambia in the first leg of the second preliminary round. With the focus on competing on all fronts, Da Cruz says the immediate focus is on the Stellies game.

Chiefs are coming to this game without some of their key players, who are suffering from injuries like Lebohang Maboe, Brandon Petersen, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Adolf Mutasingwa.