Posted in News, Team News on Feb 05, 2020.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp addressed a packed media briefing at the Premier Soccer League offices in Parktown in Johannesburg on Tuesday, as the Chiefs mentor fielded questions around the club’s upcoming Nedbank Cup round of 32 tie against GladAfrica Championship outfit Royal Eagles. The game will take place on Saturday at FNB Stadium. Kick-off is at 18:00.
Middendorp has led Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup final twice before, in 2005-06 and last season. He is aware of the challenge that Chiefs will face when coming up against Eagles who are currently competing in the second tier of South African football.
“We have observed them, and they have a number of players with PSL or top tier experience,” he explained. “They are a team with players capable of winning games and we are well aware of that.” The Chiefs coach was making reference to the fact that Eagles have the likes of former Bloemfontein Celtic and Free Stars midfielder Mpho Maruping as well Tshepo Tema who also campaigned in the top flight for Polokwane City and Free State Stars. They also have Happy Mashau who worked with him when he was coach at Maritzburg United on their books.
Middendorp has faced teams from outside the top division as Chiefs’ coach in the Nedbank Cup on four occasions, winning three of these games. He believes that Chiefs will not underestimate their opponents. “We know that whoever we face, they lift their game when they play against us,” he says. “We will be ready. We have been working well at training this week. It’s good we are at home, and this will hopefully be key to our progression.”
The Chiefs coach also confirmed that Khama Billiat could make a return to action after being out of action recently through injury. There might be a debut for Chiefs January acquisition Kenyan International Anthony Akumu Agay, as the Chiefs coach said: “Khama Billiat and Agay will be part of the match day squad for the game against Royal Eagles and we will take it from there. We will also keep a core of our players who regularly play, because we want them to remain match fit. This is a good competitive game for them to be part of.”
Middendorp has a sound record of having reached a cup final in every season that he has been with Amakhosi. To continue with this record, he first needs to successfully navigate past Royal Eagles and lead Chiefs into the round of 16, as the club go in search of a 20th Nedbank Cup final appearance and a 14th Nedbank Cup title.
Middendorp has led Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup final twice before, in 2005-06 and last season. He is aware of the challenge that Chiefs will face when coming up against Eagles who are currently competing in the second tier of South African football.
“We have observed them, and they have a number of players with PSL or top tier experience,” he explained. “They are a team with players capable of winning games and we are well aware of that.” The Chiefs coach was making reference to the fact that Eagles have the likes of former Bloemfontein Celtic and Free Stars midfielder Mpho Maruping as well Tshepo Tema who also campaigned in the top flight for Polokwane City and Free State Stars. They also have Happy Mashau who worked with him when he was coach at Maritzburg United on their books.
Middendorp has faced teams from outside the top division as Chiefs’ coach in the Nedbank Cup on four occasions, winning three of these games. He believes that Chiefs will not underestimate their opponents. “We know that whoever we face, they lift their game when they play against us,” he says. “We will be ready. We have been working well at training this week. It’s good we are at home, and this will hopefully be key to our progression.”
The Chiefs coach also confirmed that Khama Billiat could make a return to action after being out of action recently through injury. There might be a debut for Chiefs January acquisition Kenyan International Anthony Akumu Agay, as the Chiefs coach said: “Khama Billiat and Agay will be part of the match day squad for the game against Royal Eagles and we will take it from there. We will also keep a core of our players who regularly play, because we want them to remain match fit. This is a good competitive game for them to be part of.”
Middendorp has a sound record of having reached a cup final in every season that he has been with Amakhosi. To continue with this record, he first needs to successfully navigate past Royal Eagles and lead Chiefs into the round of 16, as the club go in search of a 20th Nedbank Cup final appearance and a 14th Nedbank Cup title.
