Middendorp: It's very painful for Chiefs

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says they are disappointed not to have picked up all three points against SuperSport United but are missing key players.

Chiefs drew 1-1 with SuperSport on Friday night at Mbombela Stadium and it appears their title challenge has all but gone up in smoke.

Mxolisi Macuphu continued his fine goal-scoring form as he scored the opener for United, before Khama Billiat struck back with a superb strike from distance.

Nonetheless, there were few other chances as both teams took home a point from the contest.

Speaking to SuperSport TV, Middendorp said: "I think it's unnecessary to play a draw here, it's disappointing no doubt.

"Of course it was 0-1 and we came back to make it 1-1, we have to be more clever to get the second goal when we had them on the back foot...

"The pace in the second half was not as in the first half. It should have been done in the first half to get the second goal. I can repeat this.

"The first half had a lot of pace and in the second half another defender comes in, then it's a little bit difficult against experienced defensive work to open up. We didn't have the same concentration we had in the first half. But good, the ambition was there but unfortunately we could not deliver."

The German concluded of his overall time in charge: "I will answer this in the direction of my players, our team. Please ask the question on social media, to the fans if they see the same game like in October, November, September, October, July they will probably tell you.

"We position ourselves, we have new players in, other players are not yet on a 100 percent level. Others sitting outside, it's very painful to see a guy like Lebogang Manyama not available for us but good, it's not an excuse. We should have won this game today."