Chiefs ‘set to explode’
COACH RECKONS HIS STRIKE-FORCE ARE READY TO RUMBLE Bucs’ Sredojevic hopes his men guard against complacency.
Kaizer Chiefs are a ticking time bomb that can explode at any moment and demolish anything in their path and coach Ernst Middendorp hopes the anticipated explosion happens today at the FNB Stadium where they host Orlando Pirates in an Absa Premiership match set for a 3.30pm kick-off.
Chiefs have improved quite markedly since Middendorp took over in December but their wastefulness in front of goal remains a sore point with the coach.
“We have certain issues in terms of not putting the ball in the net,” said Middendorp this week. “But I am quite sure that with the capacity and quality we have with guys like Leonardo (Castro), Khama (Billiat), Gustavo (Paez) and Bernard Parker… these players will explode at some time and hopefully it is on Saturday,” he added.
Middendorp has an incredible record against Pirates as he never lost a derby match in his first stint at Chiefs. He has always given them problems even with other clubs he has coached. But he says that counts for nothing now.
“I’m not living in the past and not thinking about the past results. I am enjoying each and every game and all games are equal but the derby is more equal, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
The Chiefs players are more confident this time around and believe they have the right formations and structure to give an improved performance in the derby.
“It’s progress, the players are responding well. We give them a certain autonomy, a certain responsibility and we expect them to show initiative and find solutions on the field at certain moments. We have to prepare and give them the tools. It’s a work in progress.
“It’s not too early (to play Pirates). We must be capable of handling certain moments and every player is here to contribute to the performance of the team. When the match starts the responsibility belongs to the players,” said Middendorp.
Pirates’ Micho Sredojevic was meanwhile worried about complacency, saying Amakhosi are not the same team they beat three times last year.
“We guard against compla- cency by telling ourselves, with respect to (former Chiefs coach) Steve Komphela, this is not the same team we played in the last two matches,” he said.
“It’s a new dawn, a new start, a new ball-game. Whatever is behind us, we have erased. On Saturday, we are playing against totally new opponents,” he said.
Although the bottom line in the match is the three points which will come as a good boost for either side’s league campaign, Micho said the match is however bigger than that.
“Yes it’s three points, but deep in the mind it’s much more. Our supporters are praying, supporting us. We know what this derby means to them.
“I just want to focus on this match, instead of going beyond and thinking about the state of the table. There is still much to do,” said the Serb.