Ernst Middendorp’s second stint with Kaizer Chiefs has already seen him reach the Nedbank Cup final, but which players has he used most?
Who played most in 2006/07 for Middendorp? Check out the gallery above
The German was a surprise appointment late last year when he was chosen as the man to lead the club forward following the exit of Giovanni Solinas, and while the club remain seventh in the Absa Premiership, there has been an improvement in performances.
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Chiefs have lost just six of the 22 games that he’s been in charge of since taking over in December, and next month will lead the team out into their first Nedbank final since 2013.
Looking back at the 2006/07 season, though, which of his current crop of players have played as regularly as the likes of Scara Ngobese, Kaizer Motaung Jnr and current assistant, Shaun Bartlett? Soccer Laduma delved into the past to find out.
The Current Crop…
Of the current group of players that Middendorp is working with, both Daniel Cardoso and Bernard Parker have played the most Absa Premiership games this season since Middendorp took over, with the duo having played 13 times each following this week's 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows.
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Kgotso Moleko, who scored against Arrows, and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya follow them on 11 each, while Khama Billiat and George Maluleka have featured in 10 league games under Middendorp’s reign.
The 2006/07 Boys…
Middendorp was in charge for 22 games of the 2006/07 season as he won nine of them, drew seven and lost six before leaving in March 2007, and only two players – Rowen Fernandez and Kaizer Motaung Jnr – were ever-present in his league side that year.
The likes of Jimmy Tau and Siyabonga Nkosi were also regulars that year as they went on to finish ninth in the league table, and Middendorp will be hoping to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen this time around in 2018/19 – over a decade later.
Which Chiefs player from 2006/07 do you most fondly recall?
