Posted in News, Team News on Feb 17, 2020.
“How do you lose the game that you have controlled so much?” asked Ernst Middendorp after seeing his team suffer a defeat against Maritzburg United on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs created several golden chances but could not convert them. “We could have been three up in the first half,” the German mentor pointed out. “We missed chances. Credit to their goalie Richard Ofori, who stood tall with his performance. We had thirteen chances and two clear shots at goal in the first half. They had two attempts and won the match.
“Lebogang Manyama had an opportunity to put us ahead. Samir Nurković had a chance to score as well, but Ofori saved the ball. At the end Erick Mathoho nearly gave us an equaliser. Things didn’t go well, and we will march on to prepare for the next game.”
At the end it was Claasen’s brace that earned the visitors a 2-1 win, Chiefs scoring through Nurković's header.
“It is another casual error from our side that got them their first goal,” said Middendorp. “From there on, it was a confusion that allowed them to get their second goal. But at Chiefs we win and lose together, so, we will not point fingers at anyone.
“It is not about the league title. I’ve said it before … We must forget about the title race at this stage, calm down and let us talk about the title at match 30 of the season. For now, yes, we have a lead, but it is just a position on the log.
“It is game on. We have 10 more games to go and everyone of them will be crucial.”
Chiefs travel to the East Rand township of Tembisa to face Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup last 16. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 22nd February at Makhulong Stadium.
Chiefs created several golden chances but could not convert them. “We could have been three up in the first half,” the German mentor pointed out. “We missed chances. Credit to their goalie Richard Ofori, who stood tall with his performance. We had thirteen chances and two clear shots at goal in the first half. They had two attempts and won the match.
“Lebogang Manyama had an opportunity to put us ahead. Samir Nurković had a chance to score as well, but Ofori saved the ball. At the end Erick Mathoho nearly gave us an equaliser. Things didn’t go well, and we will march on to prepare for the next game.”
At the end it was Claasen’s brace that earned the visitors a 2-1 win, Chiefs scoring through Nurković's header.
“It is another casual error from our side that got them their first goal,” said Middendorp. “From there on, it was a confusion that allowed them to get their second goal. But at Chiefs we win and lose together, so, we will not point fingers at anyone.
“It is not about the league title. I’ve said it before … We must forget about the title race at this stage, calm down and let us talk about the title at match 30 of the season. For now, yes, we have a lead, but it is just a position on the log.
“It is game on. We have 10 more games to go and everyone of them will be crucial.”
Chiefs travel to the East Rand township of Tembisa to face Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup last 16. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 22nd February at Makhulong Stadium.
