Match Referee Luxolo Badi alond with Kaizer Chiefs players during their 2-1 Betway Premiership loss to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadiums in Nasrec on Saturday.

Image: BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz believes his side still has some growing to do before they can consistently compete with the likes of Orlando Pirates.

Despite losing Saturday’s Soweto Derby 2-1 at FNB Stadium, Da Cruz was encouraged by his team’s first-half performance, insisting that Chiefs showed they could control the game against one of the country’s leading sides.

However, the Frenchman acknowledged that playing well is no longer enough and that his young squad must take the next step by developing the maturity and experience needed to turn promising performances into results.

“We must use this type of game to grow up and to reach the next steps. But the players must understand that we play well, we make good things, but it’s not enough. We must reach the next steps now,” Da Cruz said.

His comments offered an insight into the difference he sees between the two Soweto giants at present, with Pirates enjoying greater consistency while Chiefs continue to develop under his guidance.

The Buccaneers showed their ability to punish mistakes in the derby, recovering from an early Chiefs threat to secure all three points through Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi.

Chiefs, meanwhile, had opportunities to take control of the contest but could not make their dominance count in the first half.

Da Cruz believes that gap is partly down to experience, something he says cannot be developed overnight.

“So we must continue to work, but it takes time. It’s not overnight that we can change directly the things.

“We cannot get experience from one day to the next day. It’s thanks to training, to many games, and we must continue to learn. With competitions of different levels.”

The Chiefs coach also pointed to shortcomings in maturity and experience but was keen to praise his players for their efforts against Pirates.

He particularly highlighted the opening 45 minutes, which he felt demonstrated the progress his team is making.

“We have shortcomings in terms of maturity and experience, but I am very proud of the players and what they have shown today. It’s really the first half.

“For me, it was a masterclass in controlling the game.”

Da Cruz added that Chiefs had shown they were capable of controlling possession and dictating the tempo against a strong opponent.

“So one more time, we want to congratulate the players and he is very proud of what they made today. Against this team, we were able to control the game and the ball.”

The result leaves Chiefs fifth on the Betway Premiership standings with 14 points, while Pirates occupy second place on 25 points, one behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

For Da Cruz, the challenge is now turning encouraging passages of play into consistent performances and results.

Chiefs may have lost the derby, but their coach believes the experience can become another important step in their development.