Ernst criticises officials for Chiefs’ poor run
Increasingly pressured Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has bemoaned “a run of unfortunate decisions” against his team since the beginning of the year as the formidable lead his charges once enjoyed continues to be shredded each week.
Chiefs started the year seven points clear at the top of the Premiership standings but an away 2-1 defeat to SuperSport United in their first match of the new year gave the chasing pack reason to believe.
Amakhosi‚ however‚ bounced back from that defeat with a four-match unbeaten run that included three wins and a draw.
But another defeat‚ this time at home to Maritzburg United on February 15‚ once again stopped their campaign in its tracks, and the knockout blow they received away from home at Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup via penalties at the weekend turned their season from ecstasy to agony.
Middendorp said SuperSport‚ Maritzburg and Highlands Park benefited from poor officiating in their wins over Chiefs.
“It is a run of unfortunate decisions if you start from the game we lost against SuperSport
United in the league‚” Middendorp told the club’ swebsite.
“We lost against Maritzburg United last week and, judging by the reviews‚ we were denied the penalty that could have changed the game.
“We will take it in the spirit of football and move on. We will remain calm‚ keep our focus and prepare for the next match‚” said Middendorp.
Chiefs face Orlando Pirates next at FNB Stadium on Saturday at 3pm. Their title run-in could turn into a nightmare if they fail to get a result against a resurgent Pirates.
Middendorp watched in disbelief as Chiefs crashed out of the Nedbank Cup against Highlands at a wet and windy Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa at the weekend.
In the first half of extra time and with the pitch waterlogged and players losing their footing more often than not‚ substitute Dumisani Zuma appeared to have been hacked as he went down inside the penalty box under a challenge. But referee Jerry Chavani waved play on with the score at 1-1.
“Both teams played under unfavourable conditions‚” said Middendorp of their game against Highlands.
“We struggled a bit to adapt but I thought we could have been awarded a penalty during extra time when Dumsani Zuma was tripped with a clear chance to score.
“It was one of those games where we did everything to win but it was not to be‚” said Middendorp. “Highlands Park brought their A-game and we couldn’t unlock them to create enough chances to score.”
● Kaizer Chiefs are the in-form team going into Saturday’s derby, says Orlando Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids.
This might be a surprising statement ‚ even to Chiefs fans.
Amakhosi have had a nervy fortnight in which cracks appeared to show.
Chiefs coach Middendorp admitted that going out in the Nedbank last-16 ramps up the significance of the derby for a team trying to reverse four seasons without a trophy in their 50th anniversary campaign against third-placed Bucs who have won seven games and drawn one in eight under new coach Josef Zinnbauer.
Davids said Chiefs’ form has been consistent over the course of the season.
“You have to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Chiefs are actually the in-form team‚” said Bucs’ assistant‚ who also once filled that role under Middendorp at Bloemfontein Celtic and Maritzburg.
“They lost one game now in the league. Before that their last [league] defeat was against SuperSport. And they have been consistent through the season — hence their position.
“Do you really read into form when it comes to a derby like this? I don’t think so.
“Their coach is experienced enough to be calm this week. I think his players will pick up.
“I know him quite well — he’ll be calm ‚ and he will coach the game as a normal game‚ not heeding too much to what is said outside.
“We have to be at our best to get the three points. We are not going into the game underestimating Kaizer Chiefs because they lost in the cup on penalties.
“We know they are a team on top of the log and we are a team finding form now late in the season.”
Chiefs have won both official derbies this season. Amakhosi beat Pirates on penalties in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals on November 2‚ and a week later 3-2 in the league.
WE BEEN PENALTY COULD AWARDED DURING HAVE A EXTRA TIME WHEN DUMSANI ZUMA WAS TRIPPED WITH A CLEAR CHANCE TO SCORE
Ernst Middendorp Kaizer Chiefs coach