If I look back over the past couple of months and go back to the time when I started out at Chiefs, many would say that my beginning was a fiery one. If you can jog your memory back to August and look at the SAA Sup 8 game against Bloemfontein Celtic, I knew that this was not going to be an easy ride and some of the actions after that game confirmed that. Never the less I do feel that what happened after that game was uncalled for as I had just started out as coach and we were still finding our feet. Many of the people who reacted in like hooligans after that game should take stock of their actions as we than played a game with out supporters which in effect cost us three points.

It took us a while to find a winning formula and I think that at present we have the correct blend of youth and experience in our team, gradually over the past few months we have introduced a number of youngsters into the squad the likes of Gert Schalkwyk, Gerald Sibeko and Kaizer Motaung Junior. All of whom have performed with distinction and have become valuable team members and are and will continue to help us form the backbone of what will be a strong future for Kaizer Chiefs.

We have had to make some changes in the team, nobody’s place is guaranteed and at the back Patrick Mabedi was axed and since coming into his place Siphiwe Mkhonza has done a good job at the centre of defence. Ditheko Mototo was an unknown quantity before the season began; he has now become a house hold name with some outstanding performances at left back a position that posed many questions for us to answer.

So in terms of the next couple of months we have a strong team with a lot of players hitting form, we have a healthy situation with three or four players fighting for the same position. As a coach that is the best headache one can have, from the goalkeeping position right up to the strikers we can fill each position at least three times over.

With all the positive there were a few down turns, getting knocked out of the Coca Cola Cup in the way that we did was hurtful. I felt that we let our selves down and did not compose ourselves well in that game, than there was the run of a couple of draws in the league which set us back and the 4-2 loss to Silver Stars.

In the league we have come right and there were some notable achievements for us firstly this season has been the first time that we have ever beaten Golden Arrows home and away since they came into the PSL four seasons ago. It was also the first time we beat them in a league game away from home, in the grand scheme of things this might seem insignificant but for the team’s morale this certainly is a boost. Than there was our two victories against Pirates also the first time we have beaten them home and away since the inception of the PSL back in 1996, both victories were a testimony to the strength and character of our team.

Going into the New Year we have a lot to look forward and I think that we will be serious title contenders come May next year. We begin training again on the 10th of January and with our webmaster away till the 15th I will begin to readdress all of you again a week after we return to training which will be on the 17th of January. Please be well over the holidays and take care

Ernst Middendorp