Masilela is not happy with Da Cruz's decision to utilise offensive-minded players like Pule Mmodi in deeper roles.
Tsepo Masilela is not convinced that Fernando Da Cruz is the right man to coach Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/Backpagepix
Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tsepo Masilela has questioned whether the Amakhosi hierarchy conducted sufficient due diligence before appointing Fernando Da Cruz as the club’s head coach.
Da Cruz was appointed as Chiefs coach at the beginning of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season after Amakhosi decided against retaining Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef as co-coaches. The duo led Chiefs to a top-three finish last season, and the club ultimately qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup, but that was not enough for them to be retained.
Under Da Cruz, Chiefs remain unbeaten this season and are currently fourth on the log table with 13 points after registering three wins and four draws in their opening seven league matches. They have scored 12 goals but conceded seven in the process.
Despite their solid start to the season, Masilela is not happy with Da Cruz’s decision to utilise offensive-minded players like Pule Mmodi in deeper roles.
“When I look at the way they set up, I don’t think they’re defensive, he could say he’s playing a winger a wingback in Pule Mmodi but also his team is scoring but the mistakes at the back always disappoint them and sees them drop points,” Masilela told the Soccerbeat podcast.
Masilela compares Da Cruz to Amorim
Masilela added that Da Cruz’s stubbornness to stick to his system reminds him of Ruben Amorim’s situation at Manchester United. Amorim faced scrutiny for his defensive system during his time with United before he was eventually sacked by the club in January. At the time, reports said the Portuguese coach was fired for refusing to adapt and evolve his preferred 3-4-3 system.
Masilela believes Da Cruz could face a similar fate at Chiefs for refusing to abandon his system, saying Amakhosi have lost their identity under the Frenchman’s leadership.
“It’s similar to what happened to Manchester United when they hired Ruben Amorim; even when he got suggestions that he should change his back three, he opted to lose his job while playing in a way he believed in.”
“Another thing is it’s not like Da Cruz was coaching a Pyramids FC or a Yanga SC and we got to see how he sets up his team so we can see if he’s an attacking coach or possession-based and that maybe brings me to question whether the club did their homework on how he plays and if that will fit the culture the club prefers,” concluded Masilela.
