Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp has spoken out about his new venture with Urban Football Academy, explaining why the project has taken his full focus despite reports of a potential return to Durban City FC.
FARPost spotted the veteran German coach on Sunday at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve, on Day 1 of the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools Football Championship National Finals.
Middendorp’s arrival in Gauteng coincides with speculation linking him to the vacant coaching role at Durban City, following the recent departure of Tunisian tactician Khalil Ben Youssef.
The 67-year-old coach has reportedly continued to offer advisory services throughout Ben Youssef’s brief tenure, submitting routine technical assessments to Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia. Ben Youssef’s exit followed a slow start to the season, with just one win from seven Betway Premiership fixtures.
On the sidelines of the Kay Motsepe tournament, the former Maritzburg United mentor, Middendorp, focused his energy firmly on his role as Director of Football at the Gqeberha-based academy.
‘FOOTBALL AND EDUCATION SHOULD NOT FIGHT’ — MIDDENDORP ON URBAN ACADEMY VISION
Middendorp, who officially assumed his duties in August, explained that the institution’s model of integrating education with high-volume match play had drawn him to the Eastern Cape at the start of the year.
“My attention got into school football at the beginning of the year when I joined Urban Academy, a private school in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape,” said Middendorp.
“What caught my interest even more was how this school, with around 900 students, uses education to drive football. It is a priority, which is critical if we want to move forward in South African football, particularly at youth levels from U-13 to U-23.”
The experienced coach also delivered a candid assessment of youth development at top-flight PSL clubs, highlighting a stark shortage of competitive fixtures for young talent.
“Let’s be realistic: a lot of PSL clubs don’t have teams at U-11, U-13, U-15, to U-17 level, though some do. Academies around the country do their best, but training is only one part; they don’t play enough competitive games, and there aren’t enough academies. That means we have to look at schools and do more.
“What I see here at the Kay Motsepe tournament, with Urban Academy in particular with the U-19 side, is that they played around 60 games in one year. That shows they are very active and playing in tournaments.”
ERNST MIDDENDORP SPEAKS ON VISION FOR URBAN FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Outlining his goals for the academy, Middendorp highlighted establishing a standalone football club to run side by side with the school environment.
“My goal and attention are very clear: to build a benchmark, an ecosystem where Urban Academy operates a school and a football club simultaneously. We launched the Urban Football Academy at the beginning of September so everything sits under one roof.
“Let’s see what we can make out of it, because I believe football and education should not fight each other — they must support each other. That is what caught my interest over the last few months, especially attending regional tournaments in the Eastern Cape last week and now here at the Kay Motsepe National Finals.”
Middendorp wrapped up by praising the tournament organisers and corporate partners for creating sustainable competitive platforms for youth development.
“Well done to Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation for always coming on board and supporting these teams both academically and on the pitch. These tournaments build stronger communities, and some of these players will inevitably be working as professionals in the future.”
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