This was in defiance of the German's assertion a day earlier that Khune was not fit, with the club's statement seeming to undermine his authority.
Middendorp went on to reiterate that Khune was still not fit and that he didn't see the keeper being ready for the next game against Bloemfontein Celtic on December 7.
The Amakhosi coach dedicated his award to his technical team and playing personnel, believing it would not have been possible to clinch it without them.
"I'm grateful for this award. It is a reflection of the work we have been doing. It is not about me but the technical team, the players at Kaizer Chiefs," said Middendorp.
Top of the table Amakhosi recorded their biggest win thus far when they outshone newbies Stellenbosch 4-0 on Wednesday, with Samir Nurkovic netting a brace, while Siyabonga Ngezana and Dumisani Zuma were also on the scoresheet.
'Let's not get carried away': Ernst Middendorp
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has urged everyone associated with Amakhosi to be self-effacing, amid the club's upturn in the league.
Speaking after scooping the Coach of the Month accolade for September and October at the PSL headquarters in Parktown yesterday, where his charge Daniel Akpeyi also walked away with the Player of the Month gong, Middendorp preached humility and reprimanded those who are overexcited about the club's recent good fortune.
"We start getting carried away and not having our feet on the ground then we lose fundamental [sight] of what is a basic for really keeping a balance, for keeping going and being hungry," said Middendorp, who had also won the same award in August.
"If we start now being carried away and talking in a way that we disrespect opponents and other teams in the league then we make a difficulty ourselves, that's not necessary."
Middendorp's comments about humility were triggered by a spate questions on Itumeleng Khune's fitness after the club released a statement last Friday that he'd recovered and was fully fit to face Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout semifinals on Sunday.
This was in defiance of the German's assertion a day earlier that Khune was not fit, with the club's statement seeming to undermine his authority.
Middendorp went on to reiterate that Khune was still not fit and that he didn't see the keeper being ready for the next game against Bloemfontein Celtic on December 7.
The Amakhosi coach dedicated his award to his technical team and playing personnel, believing it would not have been possible to clinch it without them.
"I'm grateful for this award. It is a reflection of the work we have been doing. It is not about me but the technical team, the players at Kaizer Chiefs," said Middendorp.
Top of the table Amakhosi recorded their biggest win thus far when they outshone newbies Stellenbosch 4-0 on Wednesday, with Samir Nurkovic netting a brace, while Siyabonga Ngezana and Dumisani Zuma were also on the scoresheet.