Middendorp cautions Chiefs to remain humble

Kaizer Chiefs are still far from being a finished article yet and consistency will be key if Amakhosi want to lift the Absa Premiership title this season.

These were the words of Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp as he collected his second coach of the month award at the PSL headquarters this season. Chiefs won four of the five matches they played in the league in this period .

Following their 4-0 win over Stellenbosch FC at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, the message is clear from Amakhosi this season.

They are 10 points clear at the top with a positive goal difference of 16 but Middendorp still has some areas he’s working on.

In all the matches which were won for the period under review, Chiefs kept clean sheets and it didn’t come as a surprise when Nigerian international goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi took home the player of the month award.

He says it was unfortunate that they got knocked out of the Telkom Knockout by Maritzburg United and are now focused on continuing with the good form in the league.

Coming to this season, some Chiefs fans have always had their reservations about Akpeyi and compared him to the injured captain and number one Itumeleng Khune. But the former Chippa United goalkeeper has got stats to show everyone this season, only five goals conceded and five clean sheets in nine league matches out 12 games played so far.

Chiefs are a cool 10 points clear at the top of the log after only 12 matches, they are only three matches away from finishing the first round. As Amakhosi are chasing their first league title since the 2014/2015 season, Middendorp believes that the competition for starting berths in the team is going to drive them this season.

SABC Sport understands that Middendorp beat Mamelodi Sundowns’ Pitso Mosimane, Kaitano Tembo of SuperSport United and Maritzburg United’s Eric Tinkler to this award. He’s also explained what he meant last night after the game when he said all the stakeholders at Chiefs have to remain humble despite being on top of the log.

This comment appeared to be a response to a member of the management team who had posted a message on social media aimed at apologising to the fans following the loss to Maritzburg United. – Report by Velile Mnyandu

Middendorp: (Coach of the month)
“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 and @KaizerChiefs“

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) November 28, 2019

Middendorp (on December schedule):

“There is no break. We will keep on working. If we are in a good mood we will train on December 24 and 25. Maybe we rest. Or maybe we train. There is no break.” @KaizerChiefs #AbsaPrem Coach of the Month #Middendorp

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) November 28, 2019

Daniel Akpeyi: (Player of the Month)

“It is (award) a big surprise to me but it also shows the importance of putting effort forward in whatever you do. I give credit to the technical team who have been patient with me.” #AbsaPrem Player of the Month

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) November 28, 2019