Tamper-proof Chiefs
TRUSTED: COACH MIDDENDORP STICKS TO WHAT WORKS FOR AMAKHOSI
Bloem Celtic expected to be a difficult assignment as the coach continues rewarding form.
Ernst Middendorp may be a complicated enigma as a person but as a coach he likes to keep things simple – and he seems to be a man of loyalty too. While many wondered if Soyabonga Ngezana’s superb performance in Erick Mathoho’s absence in Kaizer Chiefs’ last game would give the German mentor a headache going into tonight’s Absa Premiership match, Middendorp remains unconflicted.
Asked who will start alongside Daniel Cardoso between the two defenders when they meet Bloemfontein Celtic at Durban’s iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium at 8.15 tonight, Middendorp gave a simple answer without even pausing to gather his thoughts.
“Mathoho will play and Ngezana will be in the substitution position,” said Middendorp this week. He also addressed the thorny Itumeleng Khune issue which caused some tension just over a week ago when he said the club’s long serving keeper was not ready and the club released a statement a few hours later to say he was fit and available for selection.
“I am so happy that… I was really irritated and confused that no one is asking (about Khune),” the German mentor said.
“As I said, he is not injured he is in training now we have to make a decision about who now from a point of competitiveness is best prepared for this game we have on Saturday evening (tonight). It is Daniel Akpeyi and it is him who will play. The second-best prepared at the moment is Bruce Bvuma and he will be the second goalkeeper,” explained Middendorp. He also clarified the Khama Billiat situation, saying he would only be back for their last game of the year on December 22 as he has been put on a specific programme to get him back to full fifitness.
Lebogang Manyama has meanwhile stressed that Amakhosi need to win both their remaining games to maintain their healthy lead atop the Absa Premiership standings going into the summer break.
“It is another tough game against a very good team. One of the teams who play the best football in the country. I have watched them a few times. They have some good players,” said Manyama.
“But it is another chance for us to get three points and extend the gap and keep our momentum going.”