“We created some chances that could have buried the game earlier in the first half,” says Ernst Middendorp as he looks back on the team’s last game of the year 2019.“Bar a few mistakes and one leading to their equaliser, we played well to deserve something out of the game. After all we collected a point away from home against a good opposition.”

Chiefs were denied their ninth straight win by the enthusiastic Maritzburg Unitedon Sunday afternoon in Pietermaritzburg. Lebogang Manyama’s 21st minute goal was cancelled out by Judas Moseamedi in the 34th minute. The draw means Chiefs go into Christmas still on top of the log with 35 points after 14 matches.

“George Malueka missed an easy tap-in that could have given us a two-nil lead,” Middendorp added. “With composure, Manymana should have scored at the death. So was Khama Billiat’s effort after facing Richard Ofori on a one-on-one situation. So, all these show we had a chance to win the game.”

On the winning streak coming to an end, he says: “I’ve maintained that we will stay grounded and humble about the situation. We will not be carried away and we will continue working hard to get better.

“United had chances and we had our opportunities. Let us go into a few days break and will come back in the middle of Christmas holidays to prepare for SuperSport United. We will break for three days and come back on 27th December to prepare for a trip to Mbombela Stadium.”

Chiefs will visit SuperSport United on the 4th January 2020 in Nelspruit.

“I wish our supporters and everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” saluted the German Mentor.