Chiefs coach still not happy after Leopards draw
The result just about put to bed any chance the Glamour Boys had of launching a late charge for the Absa Premiership title.
New Maritzburg United head coach Ernst Middendorp (Photo by Gallo Images)
Having made seven changes to the team that stumbled to a home defeat to Baroka FC at home over a week ago, Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp (above) was still not really satisfied with their 1-1 draw at Black Leopards on Saturday afternoon.
His changes were seen as too harsh and dramatic by some but it proved to be a masterstroke for the German as Chiefs gave an improved performance in a hostile Thohoyandou Stadium.
Amakhosi were without the likes of Bruce Bvuma, George Maluleka and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, but they got off to a great start when Aro Adrianarimanana scored just 11 minutes into the game. But their lead was short lived as Lefa Hlongwane equalised 10 minutes later.
“We all saw the game – the result was definitely not satisfying,” said Middendorp after the match. “We had a number of possibilities where we should have made better decisions in the first half,” he added.
READ: Chiefs and Leopards share the spoils
With Lidoda Duvha working hard to avoid a second consecutive defeat after losing 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates three days earlier, Middendorp’s team were forced to settle for a point.
The result just about put to bed any chance the Glamour Boys had of launching a late charge for the Absa Premiership title.
“In the second half, our activity in the final third was not what we are capable of. We know we can do better. The result we are definitely not happy with… but in terms of the performance after what we said after the last game the commitment, the focus, the movement in a different way and the handling of the game was better.
“Comparing today’s game with the one against Baroka, I saw a different attitude, a different mood. When we arrived here on Friday and warmed up I could see what was coming. I am sorry we couldn’t really capitalise and get the three points,” said Middendorp.
Amakhosi’s next assignment is a Nedbank Cup semifinal against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.
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