Fernando da Cruz says "cup spirit" will see Kaizer Chiefs progress to Carling Knockout semis

Amakhosi are in action against Siwelele at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday on the back of an underwhelming start to their season in both league and cup competitions.

Da Cruz's side find themselves in fifth place on the Betway Premiership standings, some 12 points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

They lost to Golden Arrows 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 and are also out of the CAF Confederation Cup.

In their last match, Chiefs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby, but Da Cruz says his team enter their next test with a fresh mindset.

"The players are aware that we need a cup spirit in this game as it's a totally different game from a league game.

"We need to start the game strongly and focus throughout. Our main target is to qualify for the next round, the semi-finals."

"We respect Siwelele a lot, hence we've prepared for this game very seriously," Da Cruz said in the Sowetan.

The Chiefs boss disputed the fact that playing their home fixture in Polokwane won't adversely affect his team.

"Yes we are not playing in Johannesburg but our main focus is only on the field, where we will try to win the game," he said.