Chippa United coach Ernst Middendorp is still confident that his club can break the 32-point barrier, despite what has been an inauspicious start to his tenure at the helm.
Since taking over the at the helm, Middendorp has presided over defeats against Ajax Cape Town and Pretoria University in the Premiership. Meanwhile, the team was knocked out of the Nedbank Cup, after losing to Natal United on penalties.
The only positive which has taken place during Middendorp’s time in charge of the club was the 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United.
However, the German tactician is still confident that something can be salvaged from this season, despite the Chilli Boys dropping into the bottom half of the league standings.
"We need 32 points until the end of the season. We have 10 games to go, five at home and five away and I believe that definitely we’ll get the points," Middendorp told Goal.
Since taking over the at the helm, Middendorp has presided over defeats against Ajax Cape Town and Pretoria University in the Premiership. Meanwhile, the team was knocked out of the Nedbank Cup, after losing to Natal United on penalties.
The only positive which has taken place during Middendorp’s time in charge of the club was the 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United.
However, the German tactician is still confident that something can be salvaged from this season, despite the Chilli Boys dropping into the bottom half of the league standings.
"We need 32 points until the end of the season. We have 10 games to go, five at home and five away and I believe that definitely we’ll get the points," Middendorp told Goal.
"This was the target since the first day in January and I’m 100% certain about making that," added Middendorp.
"We have played three games and we were very unfortunate that we got one point against Maritzburg United and against Ajax. We should’ve taken advantage of our opportunities then we would’ve been absolutely on track by now," he said.
The next assignment for Chippa will be a home fixture against a feisty Polokwane City on Wednesday. The Limpopo team are not to be trifled with under any circumstances and Middendorp is well aware of it.
He added: "I’m looking forward to the game against Polokwane and playing the games at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and not outside the Stadium (referring to the Nedbank Cup game where he lost to Natal United). We must realize it’s not a bad situation playing at your home ground instead of switching around Eastern Cape.
"We have all our focus on the game against City and it’s a must win."
"We have played three games and we were very unfortunate that we got one point against Maritzburg United and against Ajax. We should’ve taken advantage of our opportunities then we would’ve been absolutely on track by now," he said.
The next assignment for Chippa will be a home fixture against a feisty Polokwane City on Wednesday. The Limpopo team are not to be trifled with under any circumstances and Middendorp is well aware of it.
He added: "I’m looking forward to the game against Polokwane and playing the games at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and not outside the Stadium (referring to the Nedbank Cup game where he lost to Natal United). We must realize it’s not a bad situation playing at your home ground instead of switching around Eastern Cape.
"We have all our focus on the game against City and it’s a must win."
By: Farai Diza
RSS Feed