Ernst Middendorp is frustrated to see his former team Kaizer Chiefs struggling in the DStv Premiership this season.
The German mentor, who is now in charge of Maritzburg United after he was axed at Chiefs where he had a second place finish last season, guided the Team of Choice to a 2-0 victory against his former team at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Middendorp believes it is just a matter of time before Gavin Hunt starts turning Amakhosi around.
“I know all the players; we had a fantastic time during my stay there and they have qualified for the Champions League group stages. Complements to the team and to each and everybody who is involved there, but it is frustrating to see them going through this difficult journey,” Middendorp said after the match.
“But I know they will come back and turn it around and go the right direction. They will get the confidence out of the qualification from the group stages.”
Middendorp said that with Chiefs having not changed much since he left the club, it made things easy for him to plan around them.
Judas Moseamedi scored a brace in the second half to hand his side their second victory of the season under Middendorp.
“Of course, I have certain knowledge about each player I worked with for two years,” Middendorp said.
“It was an advantage also to be able to use the last seven days to prepare ourselves for a game like this, being fresh and from the conditioning side being in good shape. Complements to each and everybody for contributing. It was a good performance, and we deserve a result.”
The 62-year-old was also full of praise for Moseamedi, who took his tally against Amakhosi to five.
“I can confirm that he likes to score against Chiefs. When I came here we had a clear conversation. A player of his quality must be [in the] first 11 players and I said to him, ‘you are a core player, one of the first 11 players, and I’m not happy [with you] coming in as a sub’.
“He started every game and he gets better and better. He is one of my crucial players, not only now, he was in the past matches. I hope he can continue focusing.”
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