Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has identified improving the club’s attacking output as a key priority after admitting the gap between Amakhosi and the Betway Premiership’s leading sides was too significant last season.
Chiefs were among the best defensive teams in the league during the previous campaign, conceding the second-lowest number of goals behind eventual champions Orlando Pirates.
However, their struggles in front of goal prevented them from mounting a serious title challenge, with their attacking numbers falling well short of the two teams that finished above them.
Amakhosi ended the season as the fourth-highest scorers in the Betway Premiership, behind Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The difference was particularly evident when compared to the league’s top two, with Sundowns scoring 24 more goals than Chiefs, while Pirates finished 25 goals ahead of them.
Speaking at the Betway Premiership launch in Johannesburg, Da Cruz acknowledged that improving the team’s offensive output will be one of the major areas of focus as Chiefs look to compete for honours this season.
“We always want to improve the level of our team and we know the team has defended very well in the previous seasons,” said Da Cruz.
“But the gap between Chiefs and the two other teams above us was a little bit high so that’s definitely an area that we want to improve but we don’t want to just improve individuals but development and improve the entire attacking dynamic is the most important to me.”
The Portuguese coach believes the solution will not come from relying on one or two individuals, but rather from creating a stronger attacking identity throughout the squad.
While Chiefs’ defensive structure gave them a solid foundation last season, a lack of consistency in the final third meant they struggled to keep pace with Pirates and Sundowns over the course of the campaign.
Da Cruz has placed emphasis on improving the collective attacking approach, with better movement, combination play and decision-making expected to help Chiefs become more effective in front of goal.
The club has also strengthened its squad during the transfer window as they look to build a team capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
For Chiefs to close the gap on the league’s dominant forces, Da Cruz knows their defensive resilience must be matched by greater attacking efficiency.
The Soweto giants will open their campaign with a trip to Mbombela Stadium where they’ll face newly promoted Kruger United on Saturday.
With the Betway Premiership title race expected to be fiercely contested, Amakhosi’s ability to convert more chances and produce more goals could determine whether they can bridge the gap to Pirates and Sundowns.
