Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has sent a message to AmaKhosi supporters over the goalkeeper situation involving Itumeleng Khune.
Read: Akpeyi Shines As Chiefs End Bucs' Winning Run
There was a lot of debate around who should start between the sticks for the AmaKhosi after Khune returned to action last week against Highlands Park.
Middendorp kept faith with the Nigerian, who produced a number of vital saves throughout the clash and scooped the Man of the Match award.
"We actually stalled the game, we planned for Pirates very well and decided that we're not going to go wide, we're not going to extend ourselves wide. We just gonna make sure that we stay compact and when we win the ball we have to counter because we know where the mistakes are gonna come from them and that played out for us today.
"Yes it, I want to say this again, every supporter should support the entire team not the individual because that's the problem I think we have and I told everyone that's supporting me stop tugging me against my reserve goalkeeper or Khune rather because as far as I'm concerned he's a legend and he's still number one.
"I'm just fortunate to play as always, so let's support the entire team and not the individual.
Akpeyi also thanked the coaching staff at Chiefs for keeping faith in him when the supporters turned against him.
"First of all I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has made this day possible for me. Second of all, I want to share this award with my coaches, because since day one they are the ones that actually believes in me following what happened two weeks ago," Akpeyi told SuperSport TV after the match.
"When these people [fans around the stadium] turned against me but they stood by my side and believed in me and we as a team we have it at the back of our minds that we're the only ones on the field, it's only when it's good you get the support but when it's not good you get turned down.
"And that is why I had to play with that mindset coming here today to be here at this point, I'm only fortunate to be at the right place, at the right time for this game and I hope it continues going well like that."
