Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has hinted at the need to bring in a replacement for Fernando Da Cruz, the French assistant coach who had a brief but impactful six-week stint at Naturena.
Da Cruz’s departure from the Chiefs’ technical staff came unexpectedly, as he accepted a coaching position in Morocco, leaving a gap in the team’s support structure that Nabi is keen to fill.
Da Cruz’s arrival at Chiefs was part of a broader restructuring aimed at bolstering the technical team under Nabi’s leadership. Known for his tactical acumen, Da Cruz was seen as a valuable addition to the technical staff, bringing with him a wealth of European coaching experience.
However, his sudden exit to pursue an opportunity abroad has now left Nabi with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement to ensure the continuity of his technical strategies.
Speaking to the media, Nabi expressed his desire to bring in someone who could maintain the standards and cohesion within the team that Da Cruz helped establish during his short stay.
While the search for a new assistant coach is ongoing, Nabi has hinted that he’s looking for a replacement who can seamlessly integrate into the team and assist him in navigating the challenges of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The abrupt departure of Da Cruz comes at a crucial time for Kaizer Chiefs, who are in the midst of an important phase in the PSL season.
With the team’s performance under scrutiny and expectations from fans running high, having a full technical staff is crucial for the club’s ambitions.
Another key figure in Nabi’s coaching setup is Cedric Kaze, the assistant coach and close collaborator.
Kaze, who has a wealth of experience in African football, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Nabi.
His presence ensures some level of stability within the technical team, but Nabi’s call for a new addition suggests that he sees room for more specialized support in certain areas.
The decision to replace Da Cruz could also be seen as part of Nabi’s broader vision for Kaizer Chiefs.
Since taking over as head coach, he has been vocal about his desire to modernize the club’s playing style and improve overall team performance.
Having the right technical team around him is a key part of achieving those goals, and the search for Da Cruz’s replacement could signal another step in that direction.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the club seeks to maintain its competitive edge, and the appointment of a new assistant coach could play a significant role in determining how successfully Kaizer Chiefs navigate this period.
Whether Nabi looks locally or internationally for the right candidate remains to be seen, but one thing is clear:
the coach is intent on maintaining the momentum his team has built, and filling the gap left by Da Cruz is a priority.
As the search for a replacement unfolds, Chiefs fans will be watching closely, eager to see how Nabi’s leadership continues to evolve in the face of these changes.
