Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz defended his decision to deploy Reeve Frosler as a midfielder during a 1-1 Betway Premiership draw against Stellenbosch FC, citing squad injuries, an illness, and the defender’s aerial ability and versatility on the pitch.
Fernando Da Cruz Defends Reeve Frosler Tactical Shift
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz faced scrutiny following a 1-1 Betway Premiership stalemate against Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. The French tactician deployed six defenders in his starting line-up, a decision that drew discontent from the Amakhosi faithful. The tactical lineup notably featured natural right-back Reeve Frosler operating as a midfielder. Da Cruz missed the post-match press conference due to a sudden illness that left him vomiting after the game, with assistant coach Dillon Sheppard stepping in for media duties.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the midweek fixture during the Carling Knockout Cup draw in Fourways on Wednesday, Da Cruz explained that shifting Frosler into the midfield was a calculated measure rather than a spur-of-the-moment gamble.
We already tried Reeve in midfield during the pre-season.
Fernando Da Cruz, Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach
Squad Injuries and Aerial Strength Dictate Lineup Against Stellenbosch FC
The Glamour Boys entered the Stellenbosch encounter dealing with personnel shortages in central areas. Injuries sidelining key players compounded by sudden illness left the coaching staff with limited options.
Da Cruz detailed the specific physical and squad depth demands that forced his hand against a physically imposing Cape Winelands side.
The best quality of Reeve is that he can play in different positions. So it’s very interesting for him. We put Reeve in the middle because he’s a good header. We wanted him to help us with headers against Stellenbosch. We have two injured players and one player is suffering from illness. So we don’t have a lot of choices. The other choices were young players; that’s why we started Reeve in this position.
Fernando Da Cruz, Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach
While Frosler is primarily known as a consistent full-back and a former South African junior international, the tactical adjustment reflects a broader desire for stability amidst a testing period for the Naturena-based side.
Fixture Congestion and Upcoming Fixtures in Zambia and Domestic Cups
With the Carling Knockout Cup draw pairing Kaizer Chiefs against TS Galaxy in the Last 16, Da Cruz is bracing for a demanding schedule ahead. The exact dates and kick-off times for the Carling Knockout encounter remain officially unconfirmed, but the squad reshuffle highlights the mounting pressure on the team’s depth.
Reflecting on the packed calendar, Da Cruz outlined the challenges facing his squad over the coming weeks.
We have a lot of games this month, it will not be very easy because we have the Carling Cup, we also have the Soweto derby at the end of the month.
Fernando Da Cruz, Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach
Chiefs travel to Zambia to face Red Arrows on Saturday afternoon for the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie.