Middendorp brushes off “thuggish behaviour” comments from Mokwena

Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has opted to shy away from a war of words with his Orlando Pirates counterpart Rhulani Mokwena.

Amakhosi cemented their spot atop the standings of the Absa Premiership by edging their fierce rivals in Saturday’s Soweto derby, making it six league wins in a row.

Ernst Middendorp responds to Pirates coach

However, the manner in which they got to the result was not appreciated by the Buccaneers mentor, who condemned the German for encouraging what he termed “thuggish behaviour” from the victors on the day.

Addressing the media after the match, Middendorp refused to be drawn into the controversy.

“I have a good education and my parents told me, that at a certain time, don’t talk, don’t start wars or fights, just show that you are a grown up,” he said. “It is normal that here and there you are winning and losing that is why over the decades FIFA introduced yellow cards, fouls and penalties when something (has) happened. “I think (the) Fortune Makaringe and (Willard) Katsande incident was quite a heavy duel, there is no doubt about it.”

Ernst Middendorp

Suspensions aplenty for Kaizer Chiefs

Makaringe soldiered on after the clash with Katsande, but was visibly in discomfort and was eventually hauled off the field early in the second half.

The veteran midfielder was unpunished for his part, but Chiefs did receive a harsher sanction later on in the game, with defender Erick Mathoho given his marching orders after getting involved in an altercation with Pirates players.

Middendorp said he had a word with the centreback after the incident.

“I spoke to Eric and he said he was just on the way to protect his own players, protect the group and while going at each other at this moment, somebody fell apart.”

Ernst Middendorp

Along with Mathoho’s red-card suspension, Chiefs go into their next fixture without another one of their key players in goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

The goalkeeper received a yellow card in the derby, taking his tally for the season to four, which triggered a one-match ban.

The log leaders take a two-week break before their next match, a home fixture against Maritzburg United.

Kaizer Chiefs are currently ten points clear at the top of the log standings, ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who are in action against Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon.