Posted in News, Team News on Mar 16, 2019.
Coach Ernst Middendorp felt that Amakhosi could have wrapped it up in the first half.
“After we scored the equalizer, we should have added another goal or two,” the German coach commented. “We could have done better to win this game, especially because we had several opportunities to score. Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert them.”
Khama Billiat scored the equalising goal in the 14th minute after Matsatsantsa had already netted the game’s opener in the second minute. The Zimbabwean was magnificent throughout and, as a result, was awarded the Man of the Match award.
The game was played in front of an almost fully packed Mbombela Stadium.
Middendorp made a full complement of substitutes.
“We brought Teenage Hadebe on for Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, because we noticed their strategy,” the Chiefs coach explained. Ntiya-Ntiya had already received a yellow card and we thought that Teenage would give us height to better deal with their long-ball play.
“They also tried to pull Daniel Cardoso out of position. Bringing on Teenage stabilised our defence.”
Ryan Moon came on for Leonardo Castro, while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, who played excellently, was stretchered off with a tight muscle, being replaced by Philani Zulu. The 19-year-old Ngcobo made his starting debut.
Amakhosi remain in seventh position on the log with 36 points, which is seven points away from the table leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We want to get closer to the top,” added Middendorp. “Teams above us will soon face each other and that could drastically influence positions at the top. We will take it game by game.”
After the FIFA-break, 17 to 27 March, the Glamour Boys will return to the Mbombela Stadium to host Cape Town City in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash on Sunday, 31 March.
“Our focus will be on the game against Cape Town City,” confirmed Middendorp. “The next two weeks will allow us some preparation time and we look forward to that encounter.”