We Recovered Well Says Chiefs Coach Middendorp
“We started slow and conceded two goals – in the 16th and 61st minute,” Ernst Middendorp looks back at the game against Polokwane City at Loftus Versfeld. “We worked hard to change the situation and it worked out in the end.”
Chiefs made changes to the starting line-up when compared with the team that played against Bidvest Wits four days earlier. There were more changes on the bench.
“I have said that we will have to keep on making some changes along the way. We will not be able to play the same team everyday because of the compact nature of our fixtures,” says Middendorp. “If you look at our starting lineup, we started with four changes from the first game of the resumption of the season. It is always going to be a close call with the decision making. We planned and at some point, you look at it and ask if we could do without Willard Katsande or not. And then with Leonardo Castro cramping in the first game, we decided to let him rest and recover.”
Amakhosi recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat an enthusiastic Polokwane City in a pulsating and arguably the best match of the Biologically Safe Environment so far. It ended 2-3 with Amakhosi collecting the maximum points away from home. The Man of the Match Samir Nurković scored the winner and created the other two goals which were headed in by Willard Katsande and Anthony Akumu Agay.
“At half time we looked at the way City came to us,” says Middendorp. “We also saw the areas we could explore. We made the three changes with Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Bernard Parker and Willard Katsande coming on for Reeve Frosler, Yagan Sasman and Kearyn Baccus. And later, we brought in the 17-year-old Keletso Sifama for Nurković. The youngster played very well in his debut and created a possibility with a penalty situation.
“I understand that some supporters would have preferred certain players,” says Middendorp, “and I respect our supporters’ views all the time. We are charged with the responsibility of making some decisions and it is normal that not everyone will appreciate the decisions. We assess the players and talk to them when we plan every match. I am glad Akumu played well in his role and scored one of the goals. It is only a matter of time that Lazalous Kambole will score his first goal. I believe Kambole ran well and dribbled past opponents and caused some trouble for their defenders.”
With the number of games reducing towards the end of the league and Amakhosi still occupying the top of the table, the coach says: “I repeat, I do not look at the table or who does win or lose at this stage. My job and focus is to prepare the team and work hard to win matches, that is what I get paid for by Chiefs. We will go back to the training ground to recoup and prepare the team for the next match which is against Celtic. I am happy with the win, but the work continues.”
Kaizer Chiefs turn their focus to their next match against Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday, 19th August taking place at TUKS Stadium in Pretoria.
