Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has opted for several different formations in recent weeks. None of them seems to be working.

Coach Da Cruz goes back to the drawing board

Coach Fernando Da Cruz opted for a back four and a double midfield pivot of Reeve Frosler and Sibongiseni Mthethwa for Chiefs’ 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch, and persisted with that pairing against Red Arrows in a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. Da Cruz’s hands are tied in some ways with Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu out injured, but this combination clearly isn’t working. The imminent return of Lebohang Maboe could hold the key. Chiefs have shuttled between using a back three and a back four, and neither approach is yielding the desired results. The sooner Da Cruz has his first-choice midfield pairing available, the better.

Chiefs’ form is dismal across all competitions

The Glamour Boys have now drawn five of their last six Betway Premiership outings. They’ll aim to claw back a 1-0 deficit when they meet Red Arrows in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round clash on Friday, 23 October at 18:00. After that, it’s a meeting with Orlando Pirates on 31 October. There was reportedly a heated exchange between Reeve Frosler and Renaldo Leaner in the aftermath of the 0-1 defeat to Arrows.

Chiefs XI vs Red Arrows: Leaner; Monyane, Miguel, Moloisane, Cross; Vilakazi, Mthethwa, Frosler, Mako; Baartman, Shabalala.

Latest Kaizer Chiefs injury news

21-year-old winger Langelihle Phili is nearing a return after a serious ankle injury he sustained in late August during training. Phili could return towards the end of October, but the technical staff won’t rush the exciting new signing back just yet. He missed the clash with Stellies, as did Lebohang Maboe. Coach Fernando Da Cruz has been taking some heat for Chiefs’ recent performances.

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