Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp revealed he is delighted with the performance of Kabelo Mahlasela and other replacements in the 1-1 draw with Black Leopards.
Andriamirado Aro Hasina Andrianarimanana got the opening goal for Chiefs in the contest from Mahlasela’s fine back-heeled assist before Leopards leveled from the head of Lifa Hlongwane.
Nonetheless, Middendorp had made seven changes to his starting line-up against Lidoda Duvha as he replaced a number of misfiring first team stars, who had lost 1-0 to Baroka in the previous Premiership encounter.
The German tactician brought in Khama Billiat, Mahlasela, Willard Katsande, Mario Booysen, Lorenzo Gordinho, Reeve Frosler and Daniel Akpeyi for the contest.
Speaking of the performances, he said: “We have seen guys like Kabelo Mahlasela, he played a good game and always available in the pockets.
“In the end, Reeve, as we know, is player with high quality and played his first game since, I think, let’s say March 2018 to make it a bit dramatic.
“But this is good, we’re aware that he was playing at 15 miles per hour, where he was probably used to playing at 10 miles per hour before [at Bidvest Wits], so it’s normal that he needs a bit of time.
“Training is fine, but to play a competitive game on this more intensive manner is a bit difficult, but he did well. That was simply the reason for the change.
“The same goes for Kabelo, bringing him out for Ryan Moon, it was just that I expected some players will not be capable of playing the 90 minutes because of their status in the last two or three months.”
