{
  "id": 15388074,
  "title": "Chiefs coach confident of Confed Cup progress despite defeat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/chiefs-coach-confident-of-confed-cup-progress-despite-defeat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T09:44:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/chiefs-coach-confident-of-confed-cup-progress-despite-defeat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz remains confident his team can turn the game around in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup against Red Arrows, despite a 1-0 defeat in the first encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The loss to Arrows has left Chiefs winless across all competitions for four games. Following the match, Da Cruz criticized his players' lack of intensity in the first half, stating, \"We played the first half with no aggression; we also struggled in the duels. The second half was much better, but we didn’t create a lot of chances; we were much better in the second half.\" He praised Red Arrows for their win, conceding the goal came from a set piece. Da Cruz acknowledged the poor pitch condition, but emphasized that his team adapted well to the situation. He dismissed speculation about his coaching position, stating, \"The pressure was from the first day, there’s pressure every day, and we put ourselves under pressure.\" Instead, he emphasized the need for efficiency and attacking with more weight. Da Cruz called for patience from the Chiefs supporters, urging them to back the team at home in the second leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.",
  "summary": "Da Cruz bemoaned his charges' lack of intensity in the first half.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Kaizer Chiefs suffer defeat to Red Arrows in Confederation Cup clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kaizer-chiefs-suffer-defeat-to-red-arrows-in-confederation-cup-clash",
        "published": "2026-10-18T05:06:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Da Cruz reveals what went wrong for Kaizer Chiefs in Zambia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/da-cruz-reveals-what-went-wrong-for-kaizer-chiefs-in-zambia",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}