A new era is reportedly unfolding at Naturena. Kaizer Chiefs have closed in on appointing Fernando Da Cruz as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.
According to reports by thesouthafrican.com, the French-Portuguese tactician has signed a two-year contract with the Soweto giants. The move currently awaits an official announcement from the club.
A Familiar Face Returns to Naturena
This appointment follows weeks of intense speculation regarding who would lead Amakhosi. Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef recently saw their contracts expire. The duo successfully guided the club to a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership last season. They took charge following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi.
Interestingly, Da Cruz is no stranger to the Kaizer Chiefs setup. He initially joined the club in 2024 as part of Nabi’s technical team during a rebuilding phase. However, his stay was brief. He left after the pre-season to work with the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on football development.
Reports indicate that Da Cruz could bring his own technical team to the club. If confirmed, he will inherit a squad that secured CAF Confederation Cup qualification. Fans can look for updates on upcoming matches via bettors.co.za/predictions/.
Who is Fernando Da Cruz?
Da Cruz brings a wealth of international experience to the Premier Soccer League. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and is known for meticulous preparation. Tactically, he prefers an organised, possession-based style, often utilizing a 4-2-3-1 system.
His football journey is diverse:
- Former captain of the French national futsal team.
- Scouting and youth development roles at LOSC Lille.
- Coaching stints at Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron.
- Led Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat to the 2022/23 Botola Pro title.
With deep experience in France, Belgium, and Morocco, Da Cruz has a proven track record in elite player development. His tactical flexibility could offer the stability needed for long-term growth.