Ernst Middendorp says that Maritzburg United have one of the toughest draws in the Nedbank Cup last 16, as they face Orlando Pirates at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.
The two teams last met on the 23rd of January, where Pirates walked away 1-0 victors in their DStv Premiership fixture at the same venue.
Middendorp says that in that game Pirates were dominant in the first half, but he feels his team improved in the second half.
The German coach says that if Maritzburg are going to get a result, they need to start the game well, be more consistent.
“I think without a doubt it’s definitely a draw (against one of the) two or three of the strongest teams, you could play,” Middendorp told the media.
“Good, but we are preparing ourselves adequately. We had recently experience to play Orlando Pirates in our game in the league. A very dominant first half from Orlando Pirates but I think a more than balanced second half, we contributed, despite losing the game in the end 1-0.”
“It was painful, but I mention this, meaning probably we should target ourselves more in terms of our ambition, in terms of our intention, to go into the game, more into the direction of the second half. Hopefully, we can do better with the beginning of the game and bring consistency in over 90 minutes and if it is necessary, probably for more.”
