Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp was a relieved man as his side beat Chippa United on Wednesday night, but did note that game management in the latter part of the contest was something that could be improved.
The Glamour Boys maintained their spot at the top of the league standings with a 1-0 victory over the Chilli Boys, thanks to an early strike from Khama Billiat.
Kaizer Chiefs squeeze past nine-man Chippa
However, many fans would have expected a bit of daylight between the two sides, given that the Soweto giants had a numerical advantage towards the end of the game.
Defender Tercious Malepe was given his marching orders in the 67th minute before the same fate befell Elvis Moyo in the last two minutes of regulation time.
Despite being two men to the good, Chiefs could not stretch their lead.
Middendorp acknowledged during his post-match interview with Supersport that game management was an issue during this period.
“We have simply seen the ball possession, giving away in a situation where we could have played four against two. I’m all aware about it. I’m all aware about it,” he said.
“But let’s not let everybody know from the outside. Nobody knows what is going on here with the players in the bubble, more or less you are a little bit inside the prison. You fighting for life, expectations are there, you get mails whatever in terms of everybody has an idea, and everybody knows better, and then you go again and again.
“You want it. You want each and everything. It’s a fantastic team on what we have seen, here today and that is what it is about at this stage nothing else.”
Ernst Middendorp
Tense finish
Chiefs remain tied on points with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who made a dent in terms of goal-difference through a 3-0 win over Polokwane City.
The Tshwane giants are now three behind Chiefs in the goal-difference column ahead of the last round of PSL fixtures.
Middendorp’s men finish their campaign away to relegation-threatened Baroka at Bidvest Stadium, while Sundowns face off against Black Leopards, who escaped the automatic drop by upsetting Bidvest Wits on Wednesday.
Both fixtures kick off at 15:30 (SAST).
