Kaizer Chiefs coach urges patience over Rushwin Dortley’s comeback

The centre-back has been sidelined for more than a year after arriving at Naturena with high expectations and quickly earning recognition from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. 

Asked whether there was a timeline for Dortley's comeback, Da Cruz, speaking through a translator, stressed that patience was essential. 

"We have to be very careful with Dortley because he didn't play in the last 18 months, so for the moment we have to be mindful in the way we manage him. We don't want him to fall injured again when he comes back."

READ: AC Milan and Italian football are mourning the death of legendary captain Franco Baresi, who has died at the age of 66 following a battle with illness

Da Cruz expressed that he is well aware of what Dortley offers having been part of the set up when Chiefs recruited the player two years ago. 

Curious journalists also asked the AmaKhosi tactician if he was working on his English to avoid having to use a translator at press conferences. 

"All of the training sessions and meetings are conducted in English, but for me it's easier to speak 'football English' instead of traditional English. I am also taking English lessons everyday in order to improve."