MIDDENDORP KEEPING HIS TEAM FOCUSED

Amakhosi coach won’t be drawn into war of words

ERNST Middendorp is under immense pressure to win the Absa Premiership at Kaizer Chiefs and doesn’t want anything to distract him at this late stage of the season.

His Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Pitso Mosimane is known for his mind games in tense times and that usually irks the opponents while he focuses on his plans.

This season, Mosimane has been accusing Amakhosi of benefiting from match officials’ mistakes and being a well-rested team since they are not participating in any of the continental competitions.

Of course, not many coaches would want to credit referees for their hard work, so Middendorp has not been too pleased with that narrative.

That’s been the nature of the rivalry between Middendorp and Mosimane.

After beating Lamontville Golden Arrows on Monday, Mosimane claimed that this is Amakhosi’s league to lose – an attempt to deflect the attention away from his team.

He stated that Chiefs are firm favourites to win the league title because they’ve got points on the table.

This was clearly aimed at tilting the pressure towards the Naturena-based club, whose fans are famously impatient.

The two tacticians will meet tonight at Orlando Stadium in a Premiership tussle at 6pm and without a doubt, the two coaches will be focused.

Middendorp did all he could to appear unfazed by what Mosimane said.

“We are focused on our team. We don’t have to answer what somebody is putting (out) in public. We know what we want, we have a clear understanding (of how we want to go about our business),” Middendorp answered when asked about his counterpart’s remarks.

Chiefs are three points clear of Sundowns at the top of the table and they also boast a superior goal difference.

“We know what is at stake. We are not going to play mind games before or after the game. We know it is a huge game. We expect everybody who is part of the club to stick to the core values and respect the other one. We have to do it in the right manner, not because somebody said something in the public,” Middendorp detailed.

The German mentor, however, is fully cognisant of the impact of tonight’s result.

“It will give a clear direction. A game like this at the final stage of the season, it will always be important because after this game we have three left. It is a game that will give you a certain level of confidence. We are not saying it is a final. It doesn’t matter who wins it, but I’m quite sure it will give a clear direction,” Middendorp elaborated.

Middendorp got the better of Mosimane when the two sides met in the first round of the league. The German will be looking for a double over Mosimane.

He is also searching for his maiden league triumph, while Mosimane is chasing a record fifth title.

Fireworks are certainly expected tonight.