Posted in News on Dec 01, 2005.
It is very strange that one journalist wrote “the ineffective Zwane was replaced by David Mathebula”. If any person who claims to have watched Sundays’ game could have said such a thing, he surely was not watching the same game I was at.
The fact of the matter is that Arthur Zwane was far from ineffective - he for one created our goal, was also at the centre of a disputed penalty decision which should have gone our way. Arthur was creating havoc down the right hand side; once again he had a high work and contribution rate. Looking at the pitch and with the way Arthur was working it was obvious that he would tire, and then David was introduced to bring in a fresh pair of legs and add a new dimension to our play.
Other players also received certain undue criticism from journalists. The substitution decisions also came in for some fire. If you look at the substitutions made - all those who came on made a huge impact on the game. Ditheko Mototo was firm at left back. Bevan Fransman had a good game. He was substituted because he had difficulty adapting to the wet playing surface.
Mototo is a firm and stocky figure so he did not find the conditions hard to play in. Gert Schalkwyk came on and immediately had the Super Sport defenders at sixes and sevens; with his blistering pace and delicate touches he was a menace to the opposition.
I urge those journalists attending our games to watch the game with concentration and give it their full attention. Do not sit up in the pressroom and have a good social time and than write whatever you feel is necessary. Make fair and accurate summaries of the game. That is your responsibility to the public. Do not get me wrong - I am not taking a broad shot at all journalists.
There are many who call me on a daily basis and although we disagree, the comments they make are acceptable because it is done with the necessary research. For any man brave enough to say that Arthur was ineffective against Super Sport - he needs to stand up and take responsibility for what he said. All one needs to do is watch the video of Sunday’s game and then make up your own mind.
In other happenings - we have Jimmy Tau out for the weekend’s game against Ajax, David Obua makes a return to action and Ntokozo Sikhakhane has returned from Durban where he had been for the past couple of weeks after his father had passed away. Ajax can be tricky opponents. We have seen from our earlier game in the season that breaking their resolve down takes some doing - but it has been almost three seasons since they last beat Chiefs in a league game. We have this season put in commendable performances away from home against teams labelled as our hoodoo teams, the likes of Golden Arrows and Super Sport United spring to mind.
I don’t expect Sunday’s game to be easy, Ajax will still be hurting over their Coca Cola Cup exit and will be looking to go further in the league. Gordon Ingesund is a man with a high coaching acumen - his achievements in South Africa speak volumes for his quality as a coach. I know he would have done his homework on us and like wise we will be ready for them.
The key to victory over Ajax down the years has been an effective strike force and taking early chances and also last season victory was left to late. Up front we are beginning to look dangerous as Louis Agyemang begins to return to full fitness - he had been showing his predatory instincts in front of goal and with a few more outings he should be at his destructive best.
I hope to see you all at Newlands on Sunday. Much has been made about the site for Sunday’s game – as to whether it should have been played at Athlone Stadium or moved to Newlands like it has been. To me it does not matter - although the pitch at Newlands is in a better shape than the pitch at the Athlone stadium. Anyhow, wherever the game is played - our objective is to win.
See you at the game
Yours in love, Peace, Goals and World Aids awareness day.
Ernst Middendorp
