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Middendorp praises his young charges

football27 April 2024 11:50| © Mzansi Football
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Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp was full of praise for his young charges after they beat fellow strugglers Richards Bay 1-0 in their DStv Premiership clash on Friday to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Newcomer Azola Jakalashe scored four minutes from time to hand Spurs only their fourth win of the season and cut the gap to second-from-bottom Richard Bay to five points.

“As everybody can imagine, it's quite, quite impressive to handle the situation where we are eight points behind with six games to go,” said Middendorp after the home success at the Athlone Stadium.

“We had a good starting 30 minutes, where we put the tools in, with the dribbling and switching the flanks. But we did not get shots in at goal and this is definitely something where we have to do better.

“We were not strong enough, even in the second half in certain moments, with our finishing. That is definitely something where it's a lot of space for improvement.

“On the other hand, we all know, if you have a confidence, if you are winning games, if you're successful, then a lot of stuff is much, much easier, in terms of the shooting, in terms of using the right technique.”

Middendorp said the win would change the mood in the camp ahead of their next game at home to Polokwane City on Tuesday.

“After not winning for five games in a row, you are very happy to have some excitement and I definitely will not dampen down the excitement.

“I think it's very crucial in terms of the confidence level. Now the mood will be good going into the Polokwane City game.

“And then let's wait and see. We’ll do our best to try to be prepared to find the right decisions. There will be again some changes because of injuries and suspension but let's wait and see,” the veteran coach added.

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