We didn’t meet the expectations - Middendorp
We didn’t meet the expectations - Middendorp

Posted in News, Team News on Nov 25, 2019.

It was a disappointing exit from the Telkom Knockout Cup for Amakhosi in Nelspruit. Coach Ernst Middendorp was left speechless after seeing Kaizer Chiefs slump to a 2-1 defeat by a gallant Maritzburg United team on Sunday.

“It is a disappointing situation,” sums up the German coach’s impression of the 90 minutes of football played in front of a capacity crowd at Mbombela Stadium. “We didn’t meet the expectations of ‘a favourite team’ going into this match. It is an unexpected loss and a blow to our trophies ambition.”

Middendorp acknowledged his side’s below par performance on the day, “we were non-existent in the midfield and we were not alert in defence. Perhaps owing to the absence of the suspended Erick Mathoho, Willard Katsande and Daniel Akpeyi”.

Chiefs will lick their wounds and try to let this setback be water under the bridge,

“It’s time to quickly reorganise,” adds Middendorp. “We are currently on form in the league,. We have to move with speed to the next game on Wednesday. We only have a day to recover and travel to Cape Town.

“It is no doubt, we didn’t perform the way we expected,” reiterates a visibly dejected Middendorp. “After equalising you always think you’re back in it. But it didn’t work for us on the day. Next game is Wednesday and we must move on.”

Chiefs travel to the Mother City on Wednesday to challenge the unpredictable league newcomers Stellenbosch FC.

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