Amakhosi have made a slow start to the season, recording just one win and four draws in the league to occupy fifth place on the log.

Their 1-0 loss to Red Arrows in the first leg of the Confederation Cup second preliminary round has further added to the pressure on the team and the coach to deliver results.

Da Cruz has come under criticism from supporters over his tactics and team selections, but Modise feels it is never easy for a new coach to make an immediate impact at a club that has struggled for consistency.

“He’s not the only coach that has been under fire for his tactics or personnel chosen on the day,” Modise said.

“It’s very difficult for a new coach to come into a team that hasn’t been winning very much and hit the ground running.

“It’s always going to be a challenge until he finds his rhythm, his team, and that team starts getting results. Then obviously the fans will buy into it.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates midfielder added that winning matches remains the quickest way to silence critics and win over supporters.

“Nobody criticises you when you win. It’s important for them to start winning games and the criticism will slowly start dying down,” he added.

However, Modise stressed that successfully implementing a new playing style requires commitment from everyone at the club, not just the coach.

“The toughest thing is for a coach to sell a system to the players and the players buy into it, and everybody within the club itself buys into it and really implements it on the pitch,” he explained.

Modise also highlighted the players’ responsibility, insisting that improving results at Naturena will require a collective effort.

“It’s up to the players as well to deliver. It’s up to them to ask themselves how competitive they want to be or how much winning means to them, and it takes a collective, not just an individual,” he concluded.

With pressure mounting, Chiefs will be aiming to convert their performances into positive results as they look to climb the league standings and keep their CAF Confederation Cup campaign alive.