Chiefs Coach Gives Update on Rushwin Dortley

Da Cruz Explains His Decision to Bring Rushwin Dortley Back at Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has opened up about his decision to bring Rushwin Dortley back into action, expressing happiness after the defender made an emotional return following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Dortley’s return marks an important moment for both the player and the Soweto giants, particularly after he spent a significant period recovering from injury. Having last featured in March 2025, the defender has had to remain patient, work hard behind the scenes and wait for an opportunity to prove himself again.

For a player who has endured such a long absence, returning to competitive football is never an easy task. However, Dortley’s determination during training appears to have played a major role in convincing the Chiefs technical team that the time was right to give him another opportunity.

Da Cruz admitted that he had been hesitant to include the defender in his starting line-up in recent weeks, especially when it came to CAF competitions. The coach explained that the decision required careful consideration, with the player’s readiness and the team’s needs remaining important factors.

“Since a few weeks ago, I’ve had hesitations to put him in the starting line-up, especially for the CAF games,” Da Cruz explained.

The Chiefs coach revealed that Dortley’s performances in training ahead of the match against TS Galaxy helped change his thinking. Following discussions with his technical staff, they agreed that the fixture presented a suitable opportunity for the defender to return to action.

“Just before Galaxy, what he’s shown in training, after discussion with the staff, we decided it was a good moment today,” he added.

The decision ultimately provided Dortley with an opportunity to take another step forward in his comeback journey. His return also offers Kaizer Chiefs another option in defence as the club continues to navigate the demands of domestic football and its continental ambitions.

Da Cruz was particularly pleased with the defender’s response after finally getting back on the pitch. The coach acknowledged the amount of effort Dortley had invested in his recovery and preparation, highlighting the emotional significance of the moment.

“I am very happy for Dortley as he hasn’t played in a long time, he’s worked very hard and at the end of the game, he was very emotional for this comeback,” Da Cruz said.

Dortley’s return will be encouraging news for Chiefs supporters, who will hope the defender can regain his rhythm and gradually establish himself in the team again.

Although he may still need time to reach his best level, his comeback represents a positive development for the club. With Da Cruz placing importance on training performances and readiness, Dortley will now look to build on this opportunity and make a lasting contribution to Kaizer Chiefs.

Source https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2115390992488530021?a=2SgNSvb1z9Qo9XFIZc4&s=19

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