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Kaizer Chiefs are not actively searching for another signing as the transfer deadline approaches, but Fernando Da Cruz has made it clear that the door at Naturena is not completely closed.
The Amakhosi coach says he is happy with the squad currently available to him and does not want the club to bring in a player simply for the sake of adding another name.
However, if a player becomes available who represents a genuine opportunity for the team, Chiefs could still make a move.
That distinction is important.
Da Cruz is essentially telling the club’s supporters that they should not expect a desperate deadline day signing, but they should also not rule one out.
“If there is one big opportunity, maybe we will take it, but I do not want to take a player just for taking a player,” Da Cruz said.
The Betway Premiership transfer window closes on September 21.
Chiefs have already reshaped the squad
The French coach has overseen a significant rebuild since taking charge.
Chiefs have brought in Thabo Moloisane, Langelihle Phili, Renaldo Leaner and Tanzanian midfielder Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko.
Faiz Abrahams has also joined on loan from Stellenbosch FC, while Khanyisa Mayo’s move has been made permanent after his previous loan spell.
That represents a sizeable change to the squad Da Cruz inherited.
Earlier in the window, the coach had identified attacking positions as areas where Chiefs wanted additional options.
He had spoken about the need for a striker, two wingers and an attacking midfielder, explaining that different profiles would allow his team to become less predictable.
But the situation has now changed.
Da Cruz appears satisfied with what he has.
So what changed?
This is perhaps the most interesting part of the story.
A few weeks ago, Chiefs were still discussing several possible additions.
Now Da Cruz is effectively saying: we have enough.
That does not necessarily mean the coach believes his squad is perfect.
It could mean he believes the current group needs time to properly understand his football rather than another player arriving late and having to start the adaptation process all over again.
That is particularly relevant with Bitegeko.
The Tanzanian international has had limited minutes since joining Chiefs, with Da Cruz explaining that his late arrival during pre-season affected his adaptation to the team’s game model. The coach has nevertheless backed the midfielder to play a bigger role after the international break.
That tells us something about Da Cruz’s thinking.
He seems to value integration as much as recruitment.
Chiefs do not need another signing just to make headlines
For a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ size, transfer windows naturally create pressure.
Every time a rival signs a player, supporters start asking what Chiefs are doing.
Every position that looks slightly weak becomes a potential transfer target.
And when results are not perfect, the easiest solution can appear to be another signing.
But Da Cruz is resisting that mentality.
His message is essentially that another player only makes sense if that player genuinely improves the squad.
That is a reasonable position.
Signing someone simply because the deadline is approaching can create another problem.
The new player needs to adapt to the coach’s system, compete for minutes and potentially push another player further down the pecking order.
If Chiefs already believe their current squad can execute Da Cruz’s football, adding another player without a clear purpose may not solve anything.
The results have created some pressure
The timing of Da Cruz’s comments is also important.
Chiefs recently drew 1 1 with Polokwane City after taking the lead through Lebohang Maboe.
They conceded from a corner and were forced to settle for a point, with Da Cruz afterwards expressing frustration about the way his team conceded.
The result continued a mixed start to the Betway Premiership campaign.
But rather than immediately pointing towards the transfer market, Da Cruz has focused on the players already at his disposal and their adaptation to his football.
That is a significant statement of confidence.
The coach is effectively saying that the project cannot depend on constantly bringing in new players whenever something goes wrong.
There is still one scenario where Chiefs could act
Da Cruz’s comments leave one very interesting possibility open.
The right player.
If an unexpected opportunity appears before the deadline, Chiefs could still move.
That could be a player who becomes available at favourable terms, a player who fits a position the club has identified as important or simply an opportunity that the technical team believes is too good to ignore.
But the wording matters.
Da Cruz did not say Chiefs are searching desperately for another signing.
He said they would consider a “big opportunity.”
That makes a deadline day move possible, but certainly not guaranteed.
Chiefs’ biggest challenge may now be tactical
There is an argument that Chiefs’ next step should not necessarily be another transfer.
It should be getting the existing squad fully comfortable with Da Cruz’s demands.
The coach has already brought in several players who fit his vision, while other members of the squad are still adapting to his methods.
The longer that process continues, the clearer we should become about which positions actually require strengthening.
That could also make the January transfer window more useful than making a rushed decision now.
If Da Cruz spends the next few months working with this group, he will have a much clearer understanding of where the squad is genuinely short.
The door is open, but Chiefs are not panicking
For now, the message from Naturena is fairly clear.
Kaizer Chiefs are not actively chasing another player, but they are not completely finished with the transfer market either.
Da Cruz is happy with his squad.
If an exceptional opportunity appears, Chiefs could take it.
If it does not, the Frenchman appears prepared to continue with the players already at his disposal.
That may actually be one of the biggest tests of his project.
The transfer window will eventually close.
After that, there will be nowhere else to look.
Da Cruz and his players will have to prove that the squad already assembled at Naturena is good enough to compete.
And if Chiefs struggle, the question will become much more interesting:
Was the squad really complete, or did Amakhosi miss an opportunity to strengthen when they had the chance?
