How Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp keeps players on their toes
Coach sprung another selection surprise in their win over Cape Town City in the Nedbank Cup last eight
Ernst Middendorp’s regular reshuffling of his starting line-up is not about not having the best team but about keeping everyone on their toes. During last weekend’s victory over Cape Town City in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup‚ the Kaizer Chiefs coach sprung another surprise in his team selection to provide tactical awareness against the dangerous Benni McCarthy side. Middendorp had the Malagasy international Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana back for only a second start in the side since his full debut in November against Black Leopards. That move condemned Willard Katsande to the bench for a game in which the Zimbabwean international’s muscle in the middle would ordinarily have been deemed necessary. Middendorp‚ who remains on course to break the club’s almost four-season trophy drought‚ explained he didn’t need “too much experience” for the game‚ and did not want any of his teams to be too predictable or on “autopilot”. The promotion of players such as Happy Mashiane and Nko...
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