The Citizen (KZN)

Middendorp’s job still hanging in the balance

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Kaizer Chiefs are expected to make an announceme­nt soon regarding the future of coach Ernst Middendorp (below), a source has claimed. Middendorp’s stay at has been dogged from the beginning, with a section of the club’s supporters unhappy with him even when he was close to winning the league title. “There are discussion­s going on and they started a while ago. They are more likely to let him go if they win the (transfer ban) appeal case with CAS (Court of Arbitratio­n for Sports) because then they can start afresh with new players. But if the case doesn’t go their way, they may have to carry on with Middendorp,” said the source. He further claimed that Middendorp has realised that he needed to change the way the team played and be more expressive rather than playing for goals like they had been this past season. “You could hear in his interviews lately that he admitted the team weren’t playing the kind of football that you expected from a big club like Chiefs. He knows that if he stays, he has to play better football, not the route one that supporters have dubbed helicopter football he was playing,” added the source. 32745

Why is the PSL mum on who will sponsor the league come next season? If DSTV will, as touted in the corridors, that would be bad news to the poor soccer- loving masses who will be subjected to viewing mediocre matches from the SABC. Jacob

Kaizer Chiefs are nothing but a bunch of Judas Iscariots. Ewert “The Lip” Nene and the rest of the departed club founding forefather­s must be turning and cursing in their graves. Kennedy Kunene

Ndumiso Mabena is an intelligen­t and difficult player to mark. He is a pillar of strength for Celtic. His awareness and movement are magnificen­t. Rwabi

Gabadinho Mhango and Peter Shalulile have proved that they’re goal poachers of note by finishing as the Absa Premiershi­p joint top goalscorer­s. They pushed each other until the end.

Amogelang

Chiefs has disappoint­ed, embarrasse­d and failed their fans big time this season. I mean, how can they lose the league after being on top for a year and give it to Sundowns like that?

Ntaka

Goodbye Bidvest Wits from the Premier League. Wits always gave big teams tough times because they had a good coach in Gavin Hunt. We will really miss them.

Ngwakzen

At least by finishing third in the league, Josef Zinnbauer has steered the mighty Bucs ship back into calm waters after Rulani Mokwena almost let it sink. At least the team will participat­e in the Caf Confederat­ions Cup next season.

Shuki

“Middendraw” has done it again in the repeat movie for the fans. He should never contemplat­e setting foot at Naturena ever again. Byebye “Mazinyo”.

Modiri

Lehlohonol­o Majoro has demonstrat­ed to all football lovers that there’s no substitute for hard work and perseveran­ce. He saved Amazulu from virtual relegation. Matebesi

A Greek philosophe­r once said: “Pace-setters very seldom become champions”. That is sadly the fate that befell Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend. Baba Bhungane

 ?? Pictures: Gallo Images ??
Pictures: Gallo Images
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