Blunders annoy Middendorp
Akpeyi joins flops list
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp is getting irritated by the costly goalkeeping blunders.
New Amakhosi goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi became the latest to concede a soft goal after being beaten by Walter Musona’s strike in the 1-1 draw with Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium at the weekend.
Musona’s shot crept under the Nigerian for the equaliser after Chiefs had taken the lead through a penalty by Daniel Cardoso.
“If I had an explanation why we conceded these types of goals against Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town City and now Polokwane City, I’d give you an answer,” he said.
“It’s just irritating. It’s not comfortable for all of us and I think to concede a goal in such a way, I didn’t see any other possibilities for Polokwane City [to score],” he said. Chiefs are trailing log leaders Bidvest Wits by nine points and with two draws and a loss in their last three league encounters, it would appear that their title chances have faded. And with erratic goalkeepers, Middendorp’s task has become even more difficult. Even more worrying for him are the injuries to his players, with Happy Mashiane the latest casualty. He’s out for four weeks with a foot injury and joins the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Lebogang Manyama and Mulomowandau Mathoho on the sidelines.
“It’s influential players [getting injured] again and again,” Middendorp lamented. Middendorp’s counterpart, Josef Vukusic, was pleased to pick up a point each against Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek and then from their Chiefs clash.
“We must be happy with these draws against these two big teams,” Vukusic reflected.
Weekend results
Pirates 4, AmaZulu 1; SuperSport 1, Baroka 2; Wits 1, Sundowns 1; Polokwane 1, Chiefs 1; Cape Town City 3, Maritzburg 2; Chippa 1, Arrows 1