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Middendorp praises Chiefs players for handling the pressure

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Eric Mathoho (Gallo Images)
Eric Mathoho (Gallo Images)

Cape Town – Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp was delighted with his charges' 3-0 win over Highlands Park as the club celebrated their 50th birthday.

Entrance to FNB Stadium was for free as thousands of Amakhosi fans flooded to the 90 000-seater on Wednesday evening.

And it was a memorable evening indeed for those cheering on the Gold and Black.

Eric Mathoho gave the hosts the lead in the first half while Leonardo Castro scored a brace in the second stanza to ensure the Glamour Boys go six-points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership.

"Yeah, the game I think we haven't really highlighted it before but, you know you go to a birthday yesterday, big celebration you see all the big shots, from Doc Khumalo, (Siphiwe) Tshabalala and all the guys, (Vusi) 'Computer' (Lamola) and you see the faces of the players knowing they don't want to disappoint the party," Middendorp said in his post-match interview with SuperSport TV.

"They don't want to disappoint anybody and you see the tension already going to the camp last night and I must say under this circumstances, a huge compliment to each and everybody who has been on the field today," he went on.

"To manage this, knowing playing Highlands Park with a certain defensive shape they have in their man-to-man organisation, it's not easy to play the game through, 3-0 at the end of the day. I think fully deserved, yeah, a compliment to each and everybody.

"Because of the occasion, in particular losing the last game against SuperSport three days ago and the occasion is something we haven't, err let's say we have denied it intentionally, that's our job from the technical team side and the management side. But I know how important it is for the entire history and you don't want on your birthday (to) spoil the party."

Chiefs are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Cape Town City to FNB Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15:30.

- Compiled by Tashreeq Vardien

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Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Cape Town City FC
Cape Town City FC
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs
Athlone Stadium
SuperSport
Sat 30 Mar 24 15:30 PM (SAST)
Stellenbosch FC
Stellenbosch FC
Royal AM
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Danie Craven Stadium
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Richards Bay
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Tue 12 Mar 24
Mamelodi Sundowns
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SuperSport United
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Sun 10 Mar 24
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Polokwane City
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Golden Arrows
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