Posted in News, Team News on Jan 09, 2020.
“The day was set to be a celebration for the Club,” says Ernest Middendorp after watching his side’s dominating display against Highlands Park. “I’m glad that we did justice to the 50th anniversary of this institution. The players responded to the occasion with a fine display.”
Chiefs walloped Highlands Park to mark the Club’s 50th Anniversary celebration in grand style,
“On Tuesday (7 January), we sat with the legends,” said Middendorp referring to the birthday party event that was held in Phefeni, Soweto the birthplace of Amakhosi, “Computer Lamola, Doctor Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala and the other greats that were there. The players were motivated by the speeches and could not disappoint.”
Middendorp heaped praise on Man of the Match, Leonardo Castro for his performance. “This is the Leo that when I arrived, I thought he couldn’t even speak English,” reveals Middendorp. “He was withdrawn and most of the time quiet. We worked hard during pre-season for the players to come out and play as a team. He is resurfaced in an impressive way, look at his performance on Wednesday night, amazing, isn’t?
“We came into the game with five changes. We saw we brought Kgotso Moleko and Ramahlwe Mphahlele after missing for some time. This shows everyone in the team is ready to do the business when called upon. We have a core team if look at it this way - with Mathoho and Cardoso at the back, Maluleka and Katsande in the midfield, Castro and Nurković upfront and other players as make a core of the team.”
When asked about the points, the German mentor insists: “We are not counting points. To us what’s key is the match that we’ve just played against Highlands Park. I was in Cape Town on the weekend and saw how Cape Town played and won their game after they went several games without a win. We will reflect on Wednesday’s match and then work out a plan of tackling City on Sunday.”
Chiefs will look at stretching the lead at the top of the Absa Premiership when they host Cape Town City at FNB stadium on Sunday at 15:30.
Chiefs walloped Highlands Park to mark the Club’s 50th Anniversary celebration in grand style,
“On Tuesday (7 January), we sat with the legends,” said Middendorp referring to the birthday party event that was held in Phefeni, Soweto the birthplace of Amakhosi, “Computer Lamola, Doctor Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala and the other greats that were there. The players were motivated by the speeches and could not disappoint.”
Middendorp heaped praise on Man of the Match, Leonardo Castro for his performance. “This is the Leo that when I arrived, I thought he couldn’t even speak English,” reveals Middendorp. “He was withdrawn and most of the time quiet. We worked hard during pre-season for the players to come out and play as a team. He is resurfaced in an impressive way, look at his performance on Wednesday night, amazing, isn’t?
“We came into the game with five changes. We saw we brought Kgotso Moleko and Ramahlwe Mphahlele after missing for some time. This shows everyone in the team is ready to do the business when called upon. We have a core team if look at it this way - with Mathoho and Cardoso at the back, Maluleka and Katsande in the midfield, Castro and Nurković upfront and other players as make a core of the team.”
When asked about the points, the German mentor insists: “We are not counting points. To us what’s key is the match that we’ve just played against Highlands Park. I was in Cape Town on the weekend and saw how Cape Town played and won their game after they went several games without a win. We will reflect on Wednesday’s match and then work out a plan of tackling City on Sunday.”
Chiefs will look at stretching the lead at the top of the Absa Premiership when they host Cape Town City at FNB stadium on Sunday at 15:30.
