In a surprising turn of events, Fernando Da Cruz is preparing to leave the Kaizer Chiefs and join the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

The Frenchman, who had been with the Chiefs for just two months, is set to take on a new role as Technical Director for a fresh project with the FRMF.

A New Chapter for Da Cruz

At 51 years old, Da Cruz brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

His coaching career began at Lille, and he made his way to South Africa at the end of June.

Due to a release clause in his contract, the FRMF negotiated with Kaizer Chiefs to facilitate Da Cruz’s departure.

While the details of any potential transfer fee are still under wraps, an agreement was successfully reached.

Impact on Kaizer Chiefs

When Da Cruz joined Kaizer Chiefs, he took charge of the pre-season program, stepping in while newly-appointed head coach Nasreddine Nabi was still with AS FAR Rabat in Morocco.

Da Cruz was a key member of Nabi’s technical team and quickly gained the respect of both players and fans with his dedication and passion.

His departure is a significant blow to the ‘Amakhosi’ community, who had warmly embraced him.

Despite the challenge of losing such a valuable member of the team, the club is already on the lookout for a suitable replacement ahead of the new season.

Potential Consequences and Adjustments

With Da Cruz’s exit, Nabi’s coaching staff now includes Khalil Ben Youssef as his first assistant, goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi, and conditioning coach Majdi Safi.

Although Nabi had initially considered bringing Ayman Makroud, his performance analyst from AS FAR Rabat, he opted against it at the last moment.

Nabi’s first game with the new lineup will be on September 14th against Marumo Gallants at the Free State’s Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The dynamic between Nabi and Da Cruz had always been intriguing, with Nabi’s offensive tactics focusing on aggression, width, speed, and precision, while Da Cruz’s approach emphasized composure and unpredictability in attack.