Ernst Middendorp- “we made it difficult for ourselves” in defeat to AmaZulu but sound hopeful of winning the ABSA Premiership title
Kaizer Chiefs saw their lead on the ABSA Premiership table, in a bid to end their drought in the league triumph, cut down to only a point after a slim 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu last weekend, that is only assuming that second place Mamelodi Sundowns whose participation in the CAF Champions League has earn the Brazilians two upstanding games win all those two games.
But as it stands now, Chiefs are comfortably leading Downs seven points despite the leaders only managing a victory in their last three league outings whilst Downs have won all last three league games.
Chiefs were beaten by AmaZulu the first time in thirteen years, and this shock defeat has the liability to cause the ‘Glamour Boys’ in their title race. Ernst Middendorp who has guided Kaizer Chiefs this season has attributed the defeat to as one caused by Chiefs themselves, and hopes of finding solutions to it before they meet Bidvest Wits in the next game.
In an interview with club’s official website, the German trainer explained, “We made it difficult for ourselves, they countered and could have punished us again. But we came back added to our strike force bringing on Lazarous Kambole and Khama Billiat. There is no excuse, we must ask ourselves what we have done and work on it before the next match against Bidvest Wits.
Middendorp, has also sound confident in winning the league title this season despite realizing recent competition from Sundowns, SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United.
“I have said many times, even before the Soweto Derby, that at this stage of the log it is game on. Yes, we could have done ourselves a favour by opening a comfortable gap, but this result does not bring a decision where the league will go.
Chiefs haven’t had smooth results in recent games, winning two, drew one and lost two games to emerge as the club with the poorest results compared with its top five competitors who the second poorest SuperSports have won three and lost two.
His latest defeat came against AmaZulu where the relegation zoned defended quit well and took Chiefs on the break to hand the leaders that defeat. The German gaffer sees this style of play as adopted strategy for teams in the relegation zone to win games in order to survive relegation.
The Chiefs boss now believes his competitors will encounter similar results against teams chasing survival from relegation, and that will give his side the edge to win the ABSA Premiership title.
“The kind of game we had is going to happen to everyone, where you play the opponents that are chasing survival from relegation zone. We will have to master this situation and with the right mindset, we will get over it.”
