Ernst: PSL is more competitive now

Bloemfontein Celtic coach Middendorp after victory over AmaZulu: PSL is more cometitive now

Posted: 28 August 2014 Time: 11:37 am

Bloemfontein Celtic coach Ernst Middendorp doubts this season's Absa Premiership winners will reach the 55-point mark.

Last term Mamelodi Sundowns dethroned Kaizer Chiefs of League honours with a mammoth haul of 65 points.

Middendorp, however, suspects the division will be more competitive this time round.

"I think this time and I said it before, never will Sundowns or another team reach 55 or 60 points to win the League," Middendorp said after Celtic's 2-0 win at AmaZulu last night.

"It will be much less and that is what it is. It is good for the League."

Meanwhile, Middendorp was pleased with his side's performance as they swept past a drab Usuthu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Phunya Sele Sele prevailed via first-half goals from Lerato Lamola and Gabadinho Mhango, bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat to log leaders Chiefs.

"In the first half we were more cautious and in the second half we said 'we don't want it' in terms of goals. We were smart and more mature, experienced and more composure. It is still early season."

The German, though, said his team is far from the finished article.

"We see Keegan Richie is not hundred percent fit and having not had a pre-season to us in total. (Limbikani) Mzava is travelling in and out of the country due to national team qualification and not completely in our preparation.

"We see there is a little bit of a shaky moment but what is good is that we have the depth by bringing players like Ruben Cloete to really settle in down in the last 30 minutes. It is where we are working at this moment.

"Vuyani Ntanga was not here, Davis Nkausu was not here, Mukuka Mulenga was not here, so we have a lot of players who were out.

"This is what we are building up with."

Article by: Robin-Duke Madlala