Middendorp: The league isn't won in November or January

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp insists he will not let his team get distracted by the club's 50th birthday celebrations.

Amakhosi will allow free entry to the FNB Stadium on Wednesday, when they host Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership encounter, as part of the club's birthday celebrations.

Chiefs come into the clash on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to SuperSport United on Saturday and Middendorp doesn't want the festivities to negatively influence his charges' performance as they aim to get back to winning ways.

The defeat saw the Glamour Boys' lead at the top of the standings reduced to only four points.

"I am not thinking too much about a packed stadium and bouncing back (from the loss to SuperSport)," said Middendorp, as quoted by IOL.

"I am looking into it; we have to sort some stuff out. We have to find the right combinations to see who will take up the positions. That's it!

"For me, and us in particular, the preparations shouldn't be influenced (by the celebrations) and we put pressure on ourselves.

"It's a long journey; I have said it a number of times that the league isn't won in November or January.

"This (race) will go until the end of the season. We are aware about it and that should be the mindset of each and everybody."

- TeamTalk Media