Chiefs’ low f irepower does not frustrate Middendorp

Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has showered praise on ABC Motsepe League side The Magic FC after their spirited performance in the Nedbank Cup last 16 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Amakhosi needed extra time to disarm a spirited Magic, who had held on to a goalless draw in regulation time.

The win saw Chiefs progress to the quarterfinals of the competition, but not before they were given a scare.

“I definitely think that is an achievement for Magic FC‚” Middendorp said.

“However‚ I think our biggest opponent on Sunday was not Magic FC. Our biggest opponent was in our own squad, with preparing‚ organising and producing opportunities during the 90 minutes.

“We had enough options and opportunities to score but we made it difficult.

“The execution of the opportunities could have been better. In the end, we needed, again, 120 minutes.

“But it’s good the results are there. It’s what we said we wanted.”

It took the Glamour Boys 105 minutes to score against the stubborn Cape Town outfit who were forced to bring their home fixture to Port Elizabeth after they could not secure a venue in the Mother City.

Their first goal came in extra time, through a penalty, after Khama Billiat was brought down inside the box.

It was converted by Daniel Cardoso.

Two more goals followed – through Philani Zulu and Billiat.

Asked if he was frustrated with his players for their below-par finishing‚ the former Chippa United coach said: “When you are a coach‚ frustration is not your friend. It’s a very clear understanding that when you coach a team you never give up.

“You work on it and put similar systems in place. During the week, there was a certain design to bring our players into position like we had on Sunday,” he said.

“It looked a bit better but you cannot produce that in a game where supporters’ expectations are high.”

The German coach said he was aware that certain players in his strike force struggled when it came to finishing and could do better.

However, he said this did not frustrate him.

‘The execution of the opportunities could have been better. In the end, we needed, again, 120 minutes’ Ernst Middendorp

KAIZER CHIEFS COACH