Chiefs without a fixture for two weeks: Middendorp turns his attention to attack

13 August 2019 - 13:10
By Mark Gleeson
Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs talking to Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on the 10 August 2019.
Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs talking to Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on the 10 August 2019.

Kaizer Chiefs spent last week working mainly on defence after conceding twice in their opening game of the season against Highlands Park and a subsequent clean sheet against Black Leopards in Durban delighted coach Ernst Middendorp.

Now he say the next fortnight he will concentrate on working on switching defence into attack a lot quicker as he looks to get the side more mobile when on the front foot.

Chiefs are without an official fixture over the next two weeks after their failure to qualify for the MTN8.

It can be seen as a blessing in disguise for Middendorp‚ who says there will be some hard work on the attacking aspects of the game.

“Overloading the flanks‚ going through the centre‚ stretching the opponent. These are all things that we are going to work on now.

“We will not be stopping working on our defence but the main priority is the transition from defence into attack‚” he said after the weekend trip to Durban kept up the club’s 100 percent start to the season.

Middendorp said the defence had been outstanding in the 1-0 win over Black Leopards at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

“But we could have done better upfront if we were more clinical and calmer in the forward movement.

“I can deal with it because we got the three points.”

It added to the tally collected on the opening weekend of the season when AmaKhosi came from 2-1 down to snatch a 3-2 win away over Highlands Park at Tembisa.

Their next match is at home on Saturday‚ August 24 against SuperSport United at Soccer City‚ after which they are away against Cape Town City on Tuesday‚ August 27.