Can Chiefs stun Pirates and keep Da Cruz cruising?

Few spectators attended the Carling Black Label Knockout last 16 match between Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening. It was possible that fans were conserving money for the upcoming Soweto derby, when the stadium will be packed for the Betway Premiership game against Orlando Pirates. The players might have been tired of watching Chiefs struggle, which led to their elimination from the Caf Confederation Cup on Friday.

The stadium's capacity can deceive one into believing that it was more crowded than it actually was.

Chiefs played to a goalless draw against the Rockets in the first half, and their restless fans were seen performing the substitution hand signal. However, by the match's end, the fans were singing the praises of 22-year-old Wandile Duba, whose hat-trick secured Chiefs' place in the quarterfinals. The victory was crucial for Chiefs who needed a win to boost their confidence, given the upcoming derby against Pirates.

Pirates were expected to be strong favorites in the upcoming match, so Chiefs players required all the confidence they could muster to succeed.

Chiefs' head coach Fernando Da Cruz appeared relieved after the match, suggesting that the win had lifted a significant burden off his shoulders. Three consecutive draws followed by elimination from the Confederation Cup had put considerable pressure on Da Cruz, who received public support from Kaizer Motaung Jnr, Chiefs' sporting director. The support confirmed that Da Cruz needed to stay in his position, but the real way to win over Amakhosi supporters would be with a victory over Pirates in the Soweto derby.