Firstly we will play Classic on Saturday in a Coca Cola Cup game and we now play host to them in a league game. We are aware of the Classic strengths and I had the opportunity to watch their game against Pirates from a few weeks ago where I thought they played really well.

I also had the opportunity to be at their game against Super Sport United but it was cancelled because some of the Classic players caught a stomach bug Classic are generally a closed book to us because most of their team are new and they will obviously hold the element of surprise for us on the one hand but having played them over the weekend has helped us understand them better.

Classic for as much as I know play with a flat back four and use their wings to launch attacks as we seen when they played Pirates the young midfielder Graham King was a handful. He also scored to give Classic and early lead against pirates, we are aware of his abilities and the problems he poses. King links up well with striker Collen Zimba and we need keep these two players particularly in check, if Zimba is given any space around the 18 yard area he can be particularly dangerous.

Although if you look at their recent results, one might not see reason to be too concerned with Classic but we must remember that Saturday’s game is a Cup game. When it comes to cup competition the form book generally goes out of the window as the sudden death element comes into play, on the day the team that is more hungry will walk away victorious. Over the past few years Chiefs have had a good run in this competition and we would like to keep up this good record and also get our hands on our first significant piece of silverware this season.

I usually like to have a clear idea as to who the starting eleven will be a day or maybe even two days before a game. For the next two games I have a minor problem, which will mean that I will have my final eleven for Saturday’s Coca Cola Cup game against Classic closer to kick off. The reason being that we have six players who have picked up two yellow cards thus far in the season, meaning that one more and they miss the league game against Classic on Wednesday.

Should they not pick up the third caution on Saturday but on Wednesday this will rule them out of contention for the big game against Pirates next Saturday. A number of key players such as Jimmy Tau, Fabian McCarthy, Thabo Mooki, Scara Ngobese, Tinashe Nengomasha and Derrick Spencer make up the group of players on two cautions. I will have to think as to how we will use these players and not risk having all of them out for the Pirates game.

The past week has been a busy one as we have had to regroup after our 1-1 draw with Swallows, we have been working hard at improving our game in many respects and getting ourselves in a better frame of mind for these two games against Classic. On the injury front we have had most of our players off the doctors table, we have had Rowen Fernandez and Arthur Zwane taking more active roles in training as well as Louis Agyemang who suffered from a hamstring problem against Swallows has also made progress and I expect them all to be fit for the derby game against Pirates.

I also am aware that most people have their minds on the game against Pirates and have forgotten about these two games about Classic. We should not overlook the importance of these two games so keeping that in mind I would prefer to remain focus and begin discussing Pirates from next Thursday.

Till next time remember Love everyone and spread the peace.

Ernst Middendorp


Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach