Kaizer Chiefs opened the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season with a convincing 3-1 win over Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium, Wandile Duba coming off the bench at half-time to score a brace and Luke Baartman earning Man of the Match. Three points, top of the early log. Fernando Da Cruz called it the standard he wants to see throughout the season. Fine. But the result has not solved the two structural problems sitting under the hood at Naturena.

Left-back Position Remains Unresolved

The left-back position is unresolved. Bradley Cross, Nkanyiso Shinga and Paseka Mako are the current options, and Chiefs supporters are not convinced any of them is the answer. The club appears to be moving toward a deal for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, the 26-year-old who has been badly hampered by injuries over the past few campaigns. Whether his fitness record justifies the investment is a genuine debate — but the need at left-back is not in question.

Msimango Exit Looms for Chiefs

Then there is Given Msimango. The 29-year-old central defender, who joined from TS Galaxy in 2023, looks set to leave. He made 26 appearances in his debut season but that number dropped to eight the following campaign and only ten last season. Inacio Miguel moved ahead of him, and even the now-departed Aden McCarthy outranked him at one point. Injuries kept piling up. A player who once looked like a cornerstone has become a fringe figure, and a departure appears imminent.

Chiefs sit level on three points with Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United after matchday one — but the squad gaps Da Cruz needs to close are still there. How he addresses them before the window shuts will define whether this opening win means anything.