ERNST MIDDENDORP INSIGHT
ERNST MIDDENDORP INSIGHT

Posted in News on Feb 14, 2006.

Now the talking stops and the playing starts as the real action gets underway on Wednesday evening, all our planning and plotting comes down to how well we will be able to execute what ever we have been working on over the past week and prior to that. It would have been nice to have had one more practise game before the Sundowns game but unfortunately our proposed game against Moroka Swallows was washed out this past Saturday. The game, which was due to be played at the Bafokeng Stadium, would have afforded us one final opportunity to work on a few aspects of our game.



Nonetheless we are more than adequately prepared for the challenge of Sundowns and although they maybe a strong team and be at the top of the league we are confident that we can narrow down the gap at the top of the table. I am not sure whether Sundowns have been playing mind games or if they really have an injury crisis, as they claim that they initially had eleven players out and they have now reduced that number to eight.



We will still leave nothing to chance and will be ready for whomsoever will take to the field at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night; Sundowns have also purchased a new signing in the form of Dillon Sheppard. Dillon is an excellent player and I have done my research and found that he and David Kannemeyer once played a few seasons together at Ajax Cape Town.

I am sure that they will be looking at linking up again back in the 1999-2000 season it was this pair who were at the forefront when Ajax beat Chiefs 2-1.



As you enter a game of the magnitude of the Sundowns game, focus and concentration is the key so we have again opted to move out of Johannesburg and leave no door open. We have taken almost the entire squad barring a few injured players such as Bevan Fransman, Emile Baron and Serge Djiehoua; every one is itching and aching to play on Wednesday evening.

This has been evident from the way the players have been giving 150% at training as well as each guy being enthusiastic about being involved with the team.



On Monday I had the opportunity to get involved in a social responsibility programme with Ethembeni Place of Hope which is located in Doornfontein in Johannesburg and is run by the Salvation Army and Partly sponsored by accounting firm KPMG.

I visited the facility and it was an eye opener as it is a home for abandoned and orphaned children who are suffering with HIV/AIDS, being able to contribute in some way towards helping these kids make something out of their lives really motivated me towards doing something. My contributions to the home will go towards the salary of a qualified social worker whose main responsibility will be to help find suitable foster homes for the children.



There is not much more to add at the moment apart from the fact that we have worked hard over the past month and more so this week. We need all our supporters to come out and help us make victory a real possibility you were the twelfth player when we beat Pirates twice and we need you again, fill up the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.



I will address you after the game most probably on Friday and we will then reflect on tomorrow’s game as well as look ahead to Saturday’s game against Dynamos.



Till then keep on promoting Love and Peace

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