The reasons why Khanyisa Mayo is still having trouble breaking into the starting eleven for Kaizer Chiefs are revealed by Da Cruz.

Fernando da Cruz, the coach of Kaizer Chiefs, has provided an explanation for why striker Khanyisa Mayo continues to wait for a regular position in the starting lineup. He has insisted that the forward's physical condition, rather than his ability to play football, continues to be the most significant impediment to his return to the squad.

Although Mayo, a former striker for Cape Town City, joined at Naturena with the intention of enhancing Amakhosi's offensive options, he has not yet established himself as a regular starter for the club. Da Cruz believes that the 28-year-old player possesses the required quality to make a difference, despite the fact that he still needs to improve his physical readiness in order to be able to deal with the demands of playing at the highest level of football.

When asked about Mayo's circumstances, Da Cruz praised the striker's ability but made it quite clear that his current conditioning makes it tough to engage him in matches that require an incredible level of physical intensity.

As far as his overall quality as a player is concerned, Mayo is not too far behind. Da Cruz elaborated that the physical side is where he is still falling behind in his progress.

"He is not physically ready, and it is challenging to play players when they are not physically prepared," the coach said.

The statements made by the coach give the impression that the technical team continues to have faith in Mayo's capabilities, but they are not ready to rush him into the starting eleven until he reaches the needed level of physical fitness.

Furthermore, Da Cruz brought attention to the physical responsibilities that come with playing against the Orlando Pirates. He explained that matches against the Buccaneers require players to keep up a high level of energy and effort throughout the entirety of the competition.

Pirates have shown that they are capable of increasing the pace of matches, particularly in the last phases of the game, when having fresh legs and maintaining pressure can make a huge difference.

As the match progressed, Kaizer Chiefs struggled to keep up their physical level, which Da Cruz claims was a clear indication of the intensity that was there during the most recent matchup between the two rivals from Soweto.

Because the Orlando Pirates play with a great deal of intensity, he remarked, "When you face a team like that, you need to be physically ready because they play with a lot of intensity."

Toward the end of the game, we witnessed that happening. While they were able to pick up speed with new players, we experienced a decline in our physical performance.

The evaluation made by the coach emphasises the significance of physical preparation in contemporary football, particularly in high-pressure matches when the outcome can be determined by a team's capacity to maintain its performance for a period of ninety minutes.

Because the Chiefs want to be able to compete consistently against the best teams in the Betway Premiership, it is extremely crucial for them to make sure that their players are physically prepared.

In spite of the fact that Mayo is currently having a difficult time securing a starting place, the circumstances surrounding his status do not necessarily imply that he has lost favour with the coaching staff.

The statements made by Da Cruz give the impression that the striker's quality is not in dispute, and that the striker's immediate challenge is to improve his physical conditioning to the point that he can match the expectations raised by the squad.

At this point, Mayo's primary focus will be on putting in a lot of effort during his workouts, enhancing his physical fitness, and proving that he is capable of enduring the amount of intensity that is required at the top level.

As the season advances, Amakhosi may find that his expertise and attacking talents are beneficial to the club. This is especially true if he is able to meet the physical standards that are required by the technical team.

Mayo, on the other hand, is required to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way because there is heavy competition for positions in the Chiefs' attack. The fact that there are other offensive options available makes it possible that Da Cruz's consistent success in training could be the deciding factor in whether or not he is given additional playing time.

There is a good chance that Mayo's status will continue to be a topic of discussion among Kaizer Chiefs followers. Many of these supporters will be anxious to see the striker make a greater contribution to the attacking goals that the team has set for itself.

Da Cruz has made it quite obvious that talent alone is not sufficient to ensure a position in the starting eleven, despite the fact that his reputation and previous performances have built expectations due to his achievements.

Mayo possesses the ability, but he must first attain the needed physical level before he can be trusted to face the demands of key matches. This is the message that the Chiefs coach has conveyed to the team.

For the time being, the striker's return to regular first-team activity will be contingent on his improvement in training and his capacity to demonstrate that he is prepared to compete at the intensity that is required.

Source;https://x.com/ChiefsCentralZA/status/2116911138541621380?a=zS2_Ts7kP_cqiE9CzXs&s=19