Ernst Middendorp praises Kaizer Chiefs’ ’wonderful effort’ as title race goes down to the wire
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has praised his team’s fighting spirit against Chippa United after they hung on for three invaluable points that consolidated their position at the summit of the Absa Premiership ahead of the season finale.
After the penultimate round of matches, Amakhosi are still top of the Premiership standings, level on 56 points with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs would have surrendered their lead had they lost and the Brazilians won.
But Chiefs didn’t disappoint, as they defeated the Chilli Boys 1-0 thanks to an early goal from the under-fire Khama Billiat. Meanwhile, counterparts Sundowns proved that they are well-equipped for crunch-time as they made it three wins in four games after defeating Polokwane City by 3-0.
Sundowns’ goals came from Anele Ngcongca, Themba Zwane and Keletso Makgalwa. But despite the comfortable win Pitso Mosimane’s charges still trail Amakhosi with an inferior goal difference of 3 scores.
Middendorp, however, admitted that his team should have done better, especially following a nervy finish against nine-man Chippa, who lost Tercious Malepe and Elvis Moyo to straight red cards in the second half.
“The management of the game, there’s no doubt about it, (it’s very important),” Middendorp said during his post-match reactions on SuperSport.
“We’ve seen ball position easily being given away in a situation where we could have easily played four against two. I am all aware of it.”
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