Kaizer Chiefs have officially ushered in a new era as head coach Fernando Da Cruz arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday to begin preparations for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign. The Frenchman reported to the club’s Naturena headquarters, where he met the players and technical staff before taking charge of his first training sessions. His arrival comes two weeks after the squad returned for pre-season, with the coaching staff keeping preparations on track while awaiting his arrival from Morocco. Da Cruz joins the Betway Premiership after spending the past two seasons as Technical Director of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, based in Rabat, where he oversaw football development structures and worked closely with youth teams, coaches, and the senior national side. Morocco are currently the only African nation to have reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the progress made by the country’s football structures in recent years.
The 53-year-old says he is eager to begin the next chapter of his coaching career. “I’m very happy to be here. The club has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve followed its journey closely over the past two years,” Da Cruz said. “Kaizer Chiefs is a massive institution with passionate supporters and a proud history. My focus is to build a strong connection with the players, create a winning mentality and work together