Pitso Mosimane tells Arthur Zwane what to learn from Ernst Middendorp’s Chiefs tenure

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has advised newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane to look to the most unlikely source for inspiration as he looks to steer the Soweto giants forward.

Mosimane believes Zwane must take a leaf from Ernst Middendorp’s book as he rebuilds the once Mighty club.
Middendorp is notorious for missing out on the league title on the last day of the season, which was Mosimane’s last before moving to Ahly.

That season – 2019/20 – Amakhosi looked all set to end Sundowns’ dominance only to bottle it on the final day.

Nonetheless, he is convinced there is one important element Zwane can pick from the German’s approach.

“He must work hard, he must trust his instincts and give a direction. He must give a philosophy on how to play and the philosophy is not based on what he wants but the players he has,” Mosimane told Prime Sports with Mahlatse.

“Everybody likes to play like Manchester City (their shape) but do you have De Bruyne, Mahrez and Bernardo Silva?

“If you do not have that type of quality then do not try and adapt to their style because that is where their strength is.

“He had the likes of (Eric) Mathoho, (Siyabonga) Ngezana, Rama (Ramahlwe Mphahlele), (Samir) Nurkovic, (Leonardo) Castro, so they’d have six tall players in the box during set pieces and that would work to their advantage.

Zwane was appointed head coach with Dillon Sheppard as his assistant last month following the departure of Stuart Baxter.

Chiefs have been busy in the transfer market. They have already announced the arrival of Zitha Kwinika and Ashley du Preez from Stellenbosch. They released 10 players recently with more signings likely to be made.

By Kgopotso Makhubu