Well - how does one start after playing ninety minutes like we did on Sunday and have fifteen shots at goal but still not win the game. It was disappointing not to return home from Bloemfontein with 3 points. Some would say, a draw in Sunday’s game felt like a victory.

I think going into the game we let Celtic get the psychological edge over us, because of the fact that they had beaten us twice prior to yesterdays game. I thought being one nil down we handled the pressure well - and the atmosphere did not get to the players. Instead - the guys continued applying pressure and we got the equalizer that we deserved.

I had thought that we wrapped up the game towards the end: both Fabian McCarthy and Arthur Zwane were unfortunate not to have won the game for us. Please do not misread my comments - I am not happy with drawing matches - there were many issues of the game I needed to address with the team. Firstly, and something I have pointed out time and again - that is we need to score when we create the kind of chances we did on Sunday.

During the preseason I was disappointed because in most of the games we did not create opportunities. We have now reached a stage where the midfielders and defenders are working openings and giving the guys up front at least ten good scoring opportunities every game.

Our football is improving and we had some set backs. Louis Agyemang broke down a few weeks ago as fatigue took it’s toll on him, he did a good job against Celtic and scored from a tight angle. Still I think he has a long way to go to get to be the Louis Agyemang I know from Ghana. It will take him another two or three matches but he will get there.

I have received many e-mails and letters from various supporters asking me as to why Gert Schalkwyk had not made the starting eleven or been considered for selection. I have spoken to the player, for that matter all the players and my instruction to them was that I want to see players showing determination and a fighting spirit.

At the moment I don’t see Gert giving me what other players like Gerald Sibeko and Tinashe Nengomasha challenging for Scara Ngobese’s position are putting in training and general effort. Scara is playing well so those in the wings need to show a burning desire in their eyes that they can depose him. I have so far not seen it coming from Gert Schalkwyk I have observed him - and at the moment I do not feel that Gert is putting into training what the other players are. Every week, two – five times, myself and the technical team sit and analyse the players over the week.

The consensus has been that we need to see him give more in training and he needs to demonstrate to us that he wants to be in the starting eleven. The technical team and I can prepare a player to certain level. Every man needs to take his game to the next level by committing himself in training.

The door is open for every player to make headway and with a squad in such form a player should not shy away from having to fight for his place. Gert has been told he needs to stand up and strongly challenge Gerald Sibeko, Tinashe Nengomasha and ultimately Scara Ngobese.

On Wednesday we play behind closed doors against Black Leopards - we will get more into that later in the week. I would like to also congratulate Jimmy Tau, Arthur Zwane and Rowen Fernandez for receiving national team call ups. The three players have been included by Stuart Baxter in the Bafana Bafana team to take on the DR Congo in South Africa’s final FIFA World Cup / African Nations Cup qualifier.

Till next time

Be strong and love and peace to all

Ernst Middendorp


Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach