Da Cruz’s approach against a hungry Red Arrows in the Copperbelt

The two teams meet in the first leg tomorrow at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, and Chiefs will be hoping that their depleted squad brings back a positive result. 

Da Cruz has also identified Red Arrows' strengths, in a game that will require a composed approach...

"We know the expectation is very high in this competition as well for Kaizer Chiefs. We analysed our opponents and we were able to establish that they are a very powerful side that likes to play on the transition."

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Chiefs had a good run in the CAF Confederation Cup last season, qualified for the group stages, and were unlucky to miss out on reaching the quarterfinals on the final day. 

Chiefs squad was troubled by midweek injuries when they faced Stellenbosch FC, and some players have not fully recovered, including Lebohang Maboe and Khanyisa Mayo, who are still keeping fit with the DDC team. Da Cruz says there won’t be too many changes from the midweek squad.

Red Arrows are also no strangers to this tournament, but they have never been through to the group stages in the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup before. Da Cruz stressed that continental football is a different level to the domestic game...

"It's exciting to begin a new competition and all of us are focused on this game before us."