Posted in News, Team News on Aug 05, 2019.
Coach Ernst Middendorp heaped praise on Amakhosi supporters who packed Makhulong Stadium for the team’s first match of the season on Sunday afternoon.
“Even when we were a goal down, you could feel the positive energy flowing from the stands,” said coach Ernst Middendorp after seeing through his charges fighting gallantly to take away three point from Highlands Park.
“I thought the supporters brought their side of the bargain,” added Middendorp when reflecting at the full to the rafters Makhulong. “It was fantastic to see the atmosphere, the kind of support and positive energy. The supporters deserve to know that we really appreciate their role in the team.”
Chiefs fought hard to win their opening fixture of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season beating Highlands Park 3-2, courtesy of the brace of goals from the ‘man of the match’, Lebogang Manyama and the winning goal scorer Mulomowandau Mathoho.
“We played with several players that we missed last season. Manyama and Mathoho both scored, and if you recall, these are some of the players that were affected by an assortment of injuries last season. Furthermore, if you check the introduction of the new players, it shows that we were completely a different team today.
“We still had Happy Mashiane, George Maluleka and Ramahlwe Mphahlele starting from the bench. I am particularly happy with the debutants, they all showed glimpses of what we should expect as soon as they gel and get to know each other very well,” he said.
Though happy with the three points, Middendorp believes there is still a lot of work to do. “We had some moments of jitters at the back but recovered and became solid with the progress of the game. We will work on that,” noted the German mentor.
The coach says that they will thoroughly prepare for the next match as it will be Amakhosi’s first home game of the season.
The Glamour Boys head to Durban to host Black Leopards at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 10 August. Kick-off is 20:15.
“Even when we were a goal down, you could feel the positive energy flowing from the stands,” said coach Ernst Middendorp after seeing through his charges fighting gallantly to take away three point from Highlands Park.
“I thought the supporters brought their side of the bargain,” added Middendorp when reflecting at the full to the rafters Makhulong. “It was fantastic to see the atmosphere, the kind of support and positive energy. The supporters deserve to know that we really appreciate their role in the team.”
Chiefs fought hard to win their opening fixture of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season beating Highlands Park 3-2, courtesy of the brace of goals from the ‘man of the match’, Lebogang Manyama and the winning goal scorer Mulomowandau Mathoho.
“We played with several players that we missed last season. Manyama and Mathoho both scored, and if you recall, these are some of the players that were affected by an assortment of injuries last season. Furthermore, if you check the introduction of the new players, it shows that we were completely a different team today.
“We still had Happy Mashiane, George Maluleka and Ramahlwe Mphahlele starting from the bench. I am particularly happy with the debutants, they all showed glimpses of what we should expect as soon as they gel and get to know each other very well,” he said.
Though happy with the three points, Middendorp believes there is still a lot of work to do. “We had some moments of jitters at the back but recovered and became solid with the progress of the game. We will work on that,” noted the German mentor.
The coach says that they will thoroughly prepare for the next match as it will be Amakhosi’s first home game of the season.
The Glamour Boys head to Durban to host Black Leopards at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 10 August. Kick-off is 20:15.
