Kaizer Chiefs Coach Middendorp Calls For Sharp Focus
We need to be patient and maintain a sharp focus for the full 90 minutes against Celtic,” says coach Ernst Middendorp. “It will be crucial to show good off-the-ball movement and produce intensive and smart game pace which I believe will benefit us at the end.”
Middendorp took his troops through their paces on Tuesday in preparation for their visit to the 11th placed Bloemfontein Celtic this evening at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria. Kick-off is at 18:00.
“We are playing a very disciplined Celtic,” adds Middendorp, “No doubt, it will be a very difficult task for us and as always, the next game is the most important one. Celtic have some industrious players in their team. We must closely watch the roles that Lucky Baloyi and Justice Chabalala play to close their channels. Remember they have their influential player in Ndumiso Mabena, who makes them play. We will need to watch him as well.
“We are still assessing our options at this stage. We have one concern though with Leonardo Castro. He did not form part of the trip to Polokwane City on Saturday due to some cramping he experienced in the Wits game. He is fine now and back in training. But we will decide on his participation on the 11th hour before kick-off. The rest of the players are available for selection.”
Arguably the best match of the 2019/20 season featured these two teams in the first round. The game took place on 7 December 2019 at Moses Mabhida Stadium where fans witnessed an eight-goal thriller between the two sides. Samir Nurković’s hattrick and Leonardo Castro’s brace were enough to surpass strikes by Ndumiso Mabena. Harris Tchilimbou and Siphelele Luthuli.
“At the end it doesn’t matter much who the opposition are,” concludes Middendorp, “our aim remains going into each contest to collect the maximum points. Coach John Maduka is going to field a team of eleven fighters. They will step up when they need a goal and are able to form a wall when they defend.
“We have a solid plan for them,” vows Middendorp, “It is going to be a tight contest, but we are ready for another victory.”
The match will be broadcast live via SuperSport 4, SABC 3 and SABC Radio Stations.
