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Middendorp irritated with Chiefs fans over Khune chants

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp expressed his irritation with some fans after they started chanting that Itumeleng Khune should be playing against Cape Town City.

Chiefs beat City 2-1 on Tuesday night at Newlands Stadium but had to come from a goal behind after Kermit Erasmus' first half strike which beat Daniel Akpeyi at his near post.

Middendorp rang the changes at half-time as he brought on Kearyn Baccus for Lazarous Kambole, and it made all the difference as the playmaker took control of the midfield.

The German explained his tactical changes which led to goals for Daniel Cardoso and Baccus after the break, though he was unhappy with fans' demands to change Akpeyi for Khune.

He told SuperSport TV: "We are happy to win the three points.

"I think it was a difficult start for us. Coming out of an intense game on Saturday and you could see at the beginning we didn't really find a way in to the game. In the end, hopefully nobody has another opinion, but it was a fully deserved three points for us.

"We had a bit of an issue in terms of receiving possession from the back. We started to hit the ball long and we did not really have movement off the ball. It was not working as it should be. We brought Kearyn (Baccus) on, a good passer and receiver of the ball in to this position and I think then we moved up a gear. He was also available, not only because he scored the goal but that he brings a certain quality to the team.

"I think when you see this team in this year, from the beginning and you compare it to the team we had last year, I don't think there is a comparison in terms of commitment and focus. We did a lot of work in bringing players back to their full capacity. Players like Erick and Lebogang (Manyama) they are still coming back to their full capacity.

"I'm a little bit irritated about some things coming out from the group. I'm really asking that people be fair. It can't be that after five minutes, we are asking Khune, Khune, Khune.

"Khune will get his time after the bench and I think people need to show a bit more respect. No, there was loud shouting from the fans after five minutes, that's what I mean. We should not be too irritated. But you know in German we say, Stoppen Sie den Anfang. Stop the beginning. But that is what I wanted to say. But besides that it was huge, fantastic support.

"There's definitely never an ending in terms of working in terms of positioning in terms of being flexible. We might put Bernard Parker in the left-back position. We are asking our players to be flexible. We are asking our players to cover each other. At the moment it's going good."

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