“We are definitely pleased about going to the final 16, it was definitely our obligation, let’s take it from their side. Compliment to the opposition, they are structured and effective,” Middendorp told SuperSport TV.
“We are aware that we have a certain issue about finishing from a distance out of the second line, we’ve seen it in the first half and second half. But good, we’re working on it.
“We tried, the discipline, keeping the unit. It was okay but the final ball definitely not happy with it. In the end it is qualifying that counts.
“With so much to be done the players had to put a lot of capacity in terms of training. But I can understand, it was quite complicated. It’s a process, we have to be successful. We had to qualify.”
The German tactician added that he’s pleased he gave some of his fringe players a run.
“Personally, I saw it with Sundowns. This is something you want to see, the ambition. I’m aware about it, players like Rama [Ramahlwe Mphahlele] 45 minutes he’s out. Gustavo [Paez] was on the field, [Dumisani] Zuma has not played in a long time. [Siphelele] Ntshangase has not played in a long time. We have to bring them in to help us in the season. From this side I’m definitely happy we qualified and that’s it.”
