Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on 04 January 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs have sights set beyond domestic league title
Ernst Middendorp says his vision for Kaizer Chiefs involves making a footprint on the continent.
Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on 04 January 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs may be a well-known brand in Africa, but are yet to make their mark in the continent’s premier club competition.
The Glamour Boys look set to return to the Caf Champions League, having created a considerable gap between themselves and the competition in the Absa Premiership.
Out of South Africa’s traditional “big three”, they are the only club yet to claim Africa’s top prize, with rivals Orlando Pirates doing so in 1995, before Mamelodi Sundowns emulated the feat in 2016.
Middendorp shares his vision for Kaizer Chiefs
They were recently challenged by Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane to launch a challenge in the competition, and their German tactician, Ernst Middendorp believes it may be high time.
“I believe it’s crucial to have a bigger frame to follow because if you watch the rankings of the club – not only inside South Africa but in the entire parameter, it’s in position two behind Sundowns,” said Middendorp.
“I think it’s really to produce a certain sustainable situation that Kaizer Chiefs is at any time at least in the top three ranking, challenging and, of course, at any time in any season, moving into a situation to win the title.
“We said it in the beginning of the season, the job of everybody inside the club was absolutely focussed into this direction, not only for the run of this season because the club is turning 50 years old, but for the long-term to produce consistency.
“That is definitely something special for me to be part of this process of bringing the sustainable top-three position of Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa and, of course, then going on to the international business on the CAF Champions’ League side.”
Ernst Middendorp
Amakhosi eye a spot among Africa’s best
Chiefs missed out of continental competition this season, after finishing ninth in the league in the previous campaign.
Their last appearance was in the Caf Confederations Cup, where they were eliminated in the preliminary rounds by Zambian outfitl, Zesco United.
They were, however, crowned African Club of the Year back in 2001 after winning the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Chiefs were present in the Caf Champions League in 2014 and 2015, but failed to make a notable run in either edition.
Should they maintain the form that has seen them race to 13 league wins in 17 matches, they could find themselves back among the continent’s best, by finishing in the top two.
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