Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya has issued a stark warning to the club’s current squad as they prepare for the arrival of new head coach Fernando Da Cruz. Drawing on his own experiences under French managers, Ndlanya cautioned that Da Cruz’s style will be uncompromising and may unsettle some players. He acknowledged that French coaches can come across as arrogant, but insisted that perception often masks a relentless drive for excellence. “They are just driven; they always want you to give 120%,” Ndlanya told iDiski Times, making clear that the Amakhosi stars must be mentally ready for a significant shift in expectations.
Ndlanya specifically referenced former Bafana Bafana coach Philippe Troussier to illustrate the kind of discipline Da Cruz is likely to enforce. He recalled that Troussier demanded total commitment and would not tolerate any player hiding during training or matches. “You could never hide yourself from Philippe Troussier,” the ex-striker said, stressing that Da Cruz, if similar, will demand the same intensity. The Frenchman’