Our defeat to Sundowns last week has really caused a lot of speculation over my future with Kaizer Chiefs, during the week there was talk that I had quit my job and was intending to leave the country.

While I was not happy with losing to Sundowns it never once crossed my mind that I should quit my post, quitting is not my way and I would not walk away from the team. These rumours were just that - all talk - and no real basis to them. Since it is public knowledge that I will be in office till the end of the season, I would rather prefer if we were to concentrate on our next league fixture against Golden Arrows instead of going back to addressing these issues which I now believe as closed.

I managed to have a look at Arrows last couple of games and I must add that while their start to the season was a poor one, as they were rooted to the bottom of the table for a lengthy spell at the start of the season - they have really come into their own in recent matches and are looking like the Arrows I know from before, what really impressed me about their game against Wits was the fact that when they were down to ten men, they were still able to dominate and got onto to the score sheet not once but twice playing a man short. I do feel that they are playing their normal vicious, attacking football whereby they run at you for the ninety minutes and they do not stop.

Obviously Khanyeza is their target man and having scored four goals in two games he must be looked at as a serious problem, Khanyeza has also been helped a lot this season by young striker Vusumuzi Vilakazi who has scored a hand full of goals for Arrows this term.

Then there is the troublesome midfield that Arrows possess amongst that lays the truly gifted Philani Shange who really gave us a tough time earlier in the season, he seemed to have a good understanding with Khanyeza and can play as a midfielder and an attacker. How can I forget to mention Papi Zothwane, who if circumstances allowed could have been a Chiefs player Papi will relish the chance to come up against Chiefs and demonstrate what a good player he is.

Last but not least Arrows have the Henyekane brothers while Richard is an able and dangerous midfielder, his brother Joseph will look to keep things tight at the back. Matches against Arrows are also entertaining and the supporters really get the full value for their match entrance.

With Arrows trying to climb away from the foot of the table and with us aiming to stay at the top Saturday’s game should keep up with the status quo and be another entertaining game.

With regards to our team news for the game we are able to welcome back a host of players - firstly it will definitely be a bonus to have Rotson Kilambe back, perhaps the fact that we were lightweight in attack against Sundowns cost us the game. Rotson had a really good game two weeks ago against Ajax and having him back to support Kaizer Junior up front, will ensure that we ask a number of questions of the opposition.

Thabo Mooki has recovered from an ankle injury and he too is available for selection, the only disturbance we had this week was the fact that we had four players at a Bafana Bafana training camp. I think the camp was an intensive one and they needed some time off on Thursday morning, which we gave them. We did manage to get in a lot of work on Thursday and Friday afternoon.

With the league still wide open we will be out searching for a win against Arrows and three points which will keep up the pressure on Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town.

Love & Peace


Ernst Middendorp