Kaizer Chiefs coach stressed tactical discipline to limit Sundowns

Chiefs approached this game with a five-man defence, giving a debut to Thabo Moloisane as part of the back three and then had a three-man midfield and just two attackers. 

With many people arguing that Chiefs were ultra-defensive in their tactics, Da Cruz defends it and says that was the best way to contain Sundowns.

"First of all, the mindset, the spirit of our team was amazing because the players were tired before the game and I'm very proud of them. I asked them before the game to have tactical discipline because this team likes to be in possession but I know that if we are passionate and if we keep a good structure we'll have chances at certain moments to attack the space behind the line,” Da Cruz said.  

“It's a team that, if you give them space, they will kill us."

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Da Cruz was also happy with Moloisane and Pule Mmodi, two players who were starting and playing for the first time this season, as he also feels that despite Sundowns’ dominance, they still had better chances than them.

"I also had two players who didn't play a lot in the starting 11, Thabo Moloisane and Pule Mmodi and they played a really good game and I'm happy about the mindset of my squad,” the coach added. 

“Mamelodi Sundowns were in a position where they defended more than us but we would like to have more of the ball and for him if we take more of the ball and for him if we take more of the game we have more chances than Mamelodi Sundowns. 

“Even if we don't get more of the ball, we had bigger chances in the second half, with two or three big chances to score."

Da Cruz, a former head coach of ASFAR in the Botola Pro League in Morocco, likened yesterday’s game against Sundowns to a CAF Champions League clash. 

The game also reminded him of his previous encounters against Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca in the Botola Pro.