Chiefs Blame FIFA Break for Winless Run

Kaizer Chiefs have not won in four league matches, with Bobby Motaung pointing to the extended international break for disrupting the team's momentum.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Soccer

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Kaizer Chiefs are winless in their last four league matches and sit 11 points behind leaders Orlando Pirates after losing the Soweto Derby. Bobby Motaung attributed the poor form to a three-week FIFA international break that disrupted the team's rhythm.

Why it matters

The slump leaves Chiefs well adrift at the top of the South African league table, raising questions about squad fitness and momentum heading into the next stretch of fixtures. The team's struggles also follow an early elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.

Kaizer Chiefs have taken no points from their last four league matches, leaving them 11 behind Orlando Pirates at the top of the table. The extent and severity of the injuries picked up during the three-week break have not been detailed.

The players

Kaizer Chiefs

One of South Africa's most storied and widely supported football clubs, based in Soweto and a regular contender in the domestic league and continental competitions.

Bobby Motaung

A senior figure in the Kaizer Chiefs management structure who publicly blamed the international break for the team's poor form.

Fernando Da Cruz

Chiefs' head coach, now under pressure as the team searches for a return to winning form.

Kaizer Motaung Jr.

Chiefs' sporting director, who publicly backed Da Cruz in the days leading up to the latest defeat.

Orlando Pirates

Soweto rivals and current league leaders, who beat Chiefs in the Soweto Derby and sit 11 points ahead of them.

The details

Chiefs were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup and then suffered a Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates. Head coach Fernando Da Cruz has the backing of sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr., who reaffirmed his trust in the coach in the days before the latest result.

Pre-season: Chiefs began the 2026-27 campaign strongly before the break.
Three-week international break: FIFA break disrupted momentum and caused injuries.
Last week of October 2026: Kaizer Motaung Jr. reaffirmed his trust in Da Cruz.

Season Trajectory

The Soweto Derby defeat deepens the gap between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the top of the South African league, with Chiefs now 11 points adrift. Coming after elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup, the result shifts the team's season from a strong opening toward a fight to stay in contention.

Fantasy managers and supporters tracking Chiefs should note that four winless league matches and an 11-point deficit make a quick league recovery harder to plan around. The next fixtures will show whether the team can reverse the slide before the title race tightens further.

The takeaway

Form slumps in a long league season often reflect a mix of fitness, injuries and momentum, so supporters should watch results over several fixtures rather than one. Chiefs' next run of matches will reveal whether the break was the cause or simply a convenient explanation.