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'It was definitely a hectic game‚' says Chiefs coach Middendorp after derby win

Ernst Middendorp of Kaizer Chiefs during the Telkom Knockout quarter final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Durban, South Africa.
Ernst Middendorp of Kaizer Chiefs during the Telkom Knockout quarter final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Durban, South Africa.
Image: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 in Saturday’s thrilling‚ at times heated Absa Premiership Soweto derby at FNB Stadium because they made fewer mistakes‚ Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp said afterwards.

In a heated post-match press conference where Middendorp’s Pirates counterpart Rulani Mokwena made accusations of “thuggish behaviour” against Chiefs‚ and the air bristled with tension between the two‚ Amakhosi’s coach said his team made the less errors‚ so won.

“We got the three points‚ we wanted three points. A soccer game is a game of mistakes in attack and in defending‚ and we made less mistakes‚" Middendorp said.

“We had the chances to make it 3-0 or 4-0 in the first half. We messed it up.

“We got exposed at the beginning of the second half on both fullbacks’ side. And OK‚ we should have probably changed it a bit earlier but I was hoping Reeve [Frosler‚ the right-back] would come into it a bit closer.

“And in the end‚ I don’t really know what happened with [Eric] Mathoho with the red card‚ the yellow card for Daniel [Cardoso].

“It was definitely a hectic game. I don’t know – [Pirates forward Gabadinho] Mhango had around 44 fouls‚ in a way‚ being very aggressive‚ going into it so that players got injured.

“But OK‚ that’s something that happens. In the end‚ three points‚ and soccer is about results.”

Chiefs were reduced to 10 men when defender Mathoho was sent off in injury time for his part in a scuffle involving both teams’ players‚ and started by Mhango.

Amakhosi took a 2-0 lead from Ntsikelelo Nyauza’s first-minute own goal and Leonardo Castro’s 28th-minute header. Stunning strikes from Vincent Pule (39th) and Mhango (59th) brought Pirates to 2-2.

Paseka Mako brought down substitute Bernard Barker and Daniel Cardoso slotted the 84th-minute winner from the penalty spot.