This is it ladies and gentleman the build up to what has been dubbed the mother of all finals begins and as we all know when Chiefs meets Pirates the nation is divided for the ninety minutes of game time. As we approach the build up to the final we need to be cautious in our approach to the game as well as how what we do and what we say as we need to be on top of our opponents going into the game. It safe to say that Pirates after two disappointing ends to the season where they were beaten to the league title would want to win this game to try and heal the wounds of 2003 – 2004 and 2005 – 2006.

Taking this fact in to our preparations is important as we know that they will be going out and pressing harder for victory, we are ready for them and what ever they going to throw at us. Some people have been arguing that when we played Pirates earlier in the season Siyabonga Nomvete and Jabu Mahlangu were not in their line up, my answer is that with the pair in the team Pirates still came up short in terms of winning the league. Although they are good players that argument does not deter me much, I know that they both played for Chiefs at one stage in their career and they will be looking to put one over us. The thing is that if Pirates are a better team with them than we will enjoy playing against them more now than we did earlier in the season.

We are aware that Saturday’s game will not be easy but when you go into a game of this magnitude you have to be confident that you are going to come home with what you going to Durban for. For us going to Durban is no holiday we going down to win the ABSA Cup for our fans who at the end of the day are the true winners, they have stood by us through good, bad, warm nights and cold nights. To be playing Pirates is an added bonus the real thing is to come home as winners, beating them twice in the league will be forgotten should we lose on Saturday. That is why we have extra motivation to want to beat them and complete a hat trick of victories over them for this season and that with the ABSA Cup trophy will be the icing on a very sweet cake.

From a preparations point of view we are almost at 100% capacity with most of our regulars in full training and we do not have any new injuries, there are no suspensions this weekend. So as far as that is going we are training hard and putting in extra time on the training ground and as far as possible we are keeping all outside distractions away from the team at the moment. We are lucky also to have got an early appointment for Emile Baron to have a shoulder operation he goes under the knife on Wednesday morning, I wish him all the success in his operation.

Till Friday keep up the support and I know and I am disappointed that not too many of you have been able to get hold of tickets for the match on Saturday. We will have you all in our hearts and the teams is aware that even though you could be at the stadium you will be cheering us on from your living room.

Yours for the CUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPP

ERNST MIDDENDORP