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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp was understandably disappointed by their Nedbank Cup exit but believes it could've been different if they'd had a bit more luck.
Chiefs were beaten on penalties after their match against Highlands Park was level at 1-1 after extra time.
"Ja, so a penalty shoot-out in the end not qualify us is a little bit of a situation where probably the team lacked a little bit more luck in the end, [Highlands Park] tougher made tough," Middendorp told SuperSport.
However, the Amakhosi mentor did, at least in part, blame the poor quality of the pitch for his side being unable to build up any momentum going forward.
"It was very difficult regarding the field, this passing, a lot of possession moments where we missed the ball too long or the ball not getting into the direction of our players.
"It's really not to stand here and look for excuses but I think everyone who was part of this afternoon knows it was a little bit of up and down and good, unfortunately, we have not made it, we have to compliment the opponent, congratulations to Highlands Park."
Middendorp raised some eyebrows at half time when Anthony Akumu and Bernard Parker were substituted and he explained it was because the gameplan was not being executed properly.
"I think actually [Anthony] Akumu had his first 45 minutes, we had a bit of a miscommunication, not really as we wanted to see it. George [Maluleka] is good at complimenting [Khama] Billiat in the central, we got a little bit of the ball in this passing," he explained.
"What we tried to do, receive it and passing it through the midfield, good. Dumisani Zuma is always a player who can win one against one, with his variability can give us something.
"In the end, we have seen it but, through the length of the entire extra-time, you need a field. You need something, if you want to do your dribbling if you want to do your combination passing, it [more space] was not there, good that's the reason why I changed."
- TEAMtalk media
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