It’s just another ‘big game’
Maritzburg’s Middendorp downplays match with glamour club Chiefs
WHILE there will be no special preparations by Maritzburg United when they tackle Kaizer Chiefs tonight, the Team of Choice have room to improve.
Maritzburg coach Ernst Middendorp balked at the suggestion that this was “a big game”, saying he would prepare his men like he would for any other fixture.
These are not usual circumstances, however. Chiefs were dumped from the MTN8 by newcomers Cape Town City and only picked up their first victory after four league and cup matches. It’s definitely not the kind of start the Amakhosi bosses and supporters expected, especially after coach Steve Komphela was given a free hand to revamp the squad for his second season in charge.
“In Bloemfontein it was a big game (against Celtic),” said Middendorp as he downplayed the magnitude of the Chiefs match. “We played Sundowns at home and it was a big game, too. And playing SuperSport, who assembled a good squad, is a big game. There are not really games where you can say it’s easy.”
The matches against Celtic, Sundowns and SuperSport resulted in a win, a draw and a loss, which places Maritzburg level with their hosts on four points.
Chiefs collected their first threepointer of the season in a 1-0 midweek outing at Highlands Park, courtesy of a George Lebese penalty. Psychologically that would have lifted Amakhosi. The win coincided with the return from injury of midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, which was a further boost for the Soweto outfit.
Even though Maritzburg lost midweek against SuperSport, Middendorp said he was looking forward to improved performances as the season progressed. “I’m not concerned by the missed chances (against SuperSport) – it was good goalkeeping. We have improved, and more is possible in certain departments.”
The other local side in the PSL, Golden Arrows, are well placed to pick up at least a point against Celtic in tomorrow’s only top-flight game.
Despite a squad overhaul at Celtic, former Celtic coach Clinton Larsen will be familiar with some of the players there. In addition he guided Arrows to a midweek 1-0 win at Free State Stars, their second consecutive victory without conceding a goal.
In the First Division, a high-tempo clash is on the cards when early front runners AmaZulu and University of Pretoria square off in KwaMashu this afternoon. Both are unbeaten, separated by just goal difference.
“We hope to continue in this fighting mode… and we need the crowd to come and back us,” said AmaZulu coach Joey Antipas. “Tuks are a very good side and we have a tough game on our hands. I believe we can compete with any of the teams in the NFD, but to give our best shot we’ve got to keep on working hard and continue believing in ourselves.”