Johannesburg – Kaizer Vhiefs Ernst Middendorp has increasingly cut a forlorn figure in recent weeks as his once dominant charges continue to drop points at an alarming rate and even his Bidvest Wits counterpart Gavin Hunt was moved to express his sympathy as the pressure mounts on his rival.
Middendorp’s Kaizer Chiefs, title favourites a few months ago, suddenly have a fragile look about them and while they remain top of the Absa Premiership standings on goal different, they will be under a lot of pressure when they face Chippa United on Wednesday night.
The coach was so upset that he could not bring himself to face the media after Hunt’s team delivered a last-gasp 1-o sucker punch that threw the title race wide open a few days ago.
While he was happy to get away with the three points after Chiefs missed a number of chances to get something from the game, Hunt couldn’t help but feel sorry for his increasingly lonely colleague.
“I think this profession is very lonely because if you are winning everything is fine and everybody loves you‚ but if you don’t win it’s a different story‚” said Hunt who has won the Premiership title four times, on three consecutive occasions with SuperSport and once with Wits three seasons ago.
“They were so close to earning a point in the last match against us (Wits) but they lost it in the 93th or 94th minute and it is not easy to handle. But I think they have enough experience to be calm.
“On a personal level‚ you don’t like to see people‚ especially because they were on top of the log for a long time‚ but we are in a cut-throat and difficult business.
“It doesn’t take anything away from a personal relationship‚ I will still greet and I have no problems with that. I wish them and everybody well.”
Hunt added that it’s important for coaches and players to handle pressure in the remaining matches of the season.
