Embattled Chippa United coach Ernst Middendorp was greeted by a throng of angry supporters baying for blood when the team arrived back from Johannesburg yesterday after their latest defeat against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday.
Chippa United have not won since owner Siviwe Mpengesi fired Roger Sikhakhane in December last year and replaced him with Middendorp. In fact, the team are currently on a 10-match winless streak, with the German recording two draws and three defeats in his five-match PSL tenure.
A 2-0 defeat to the Buccaneers in Soweto pushed fans over the edge and prompted around two dozen placard-carrying supporters to confront Middendorp at the airport yesterday afternoon.
Bemused Chippa players and other travellers looked on as the group chanted and hurled insults at Middendorp. Some players laughed, others shook their heads.
Disgruntled Chippa supporters waved placards reading “The coach is dead and the team is dead”, “Thank you Miden-Lose and draw. Master of losing”, “Who is Middendorp? Oh ... The ex Chippa United FC coach?” and “We want Roger back” while waiting at the arrivals gate.
The atmosphere became tense as their voices became louder. Some took pictures while others took videos of the action.
As Middendorp emerged supporters shouted: “You must go ...... You must go ...... You must go.”
One supporter Pamella Buwa, of New Brighton, representing the Nebfa Chippa United Supporters Club, got up close and personal shouting in the German coach’s face: “We have supported you from day one and this is how you repay us. You must go, you are taking our team back to NFD.”
A furious Middendorp then asked Buwa: “Who is paying you and how much have they paid you?” She responded, “Nobody paid us. We are the supporters and we are telling you that we are not happy with the results. You must go.”
Two police officers then came to Middendorp’s rescue pushing fans away attempting to clear a path for him.
Buwa told reporters that they as Chippa United supporters are not happy with the current club’s results.
“Today we want the coach (Middendorp) to see how we feel because we are not happy with what we are seeing. We have been losing games since he joined the team. We have only two points from five games.
“They must bring back the former coach Roger (Sikhakhane) or if it comes to the push we can even coach the team ourselves as supporters.”
Chippa are currently 11th on the log with 24 points from 22 games. More importantly though, they are sliding down a slippery slope towards the relegation zone.
Chippa United’s captain James Okwuosa said he understood the supporters’ anger because the team had not been performing well of late.
“Every coach has his own tactics. They have their own way of doing things,” said Okwuosa.
The Chilli Boys’ COO Lukhanyo Mzinzi said the club did not condone the actions of the supporters.
“We have to acknowledge as a club that there is a bit of frustration because of the results but they should be patient as the club is still new in the PSL.
“We know that results have not been coming forward and we have seen a drop in supporters’ attendance at the stadium. For us to take an irrational decision now might backfire on us.”
Chippa coach under fire
Chippa United have not won since owner Siviwe Mpengesi fired Roger Sikhakhane in December last year and replaced him with Middendorp. In fact, the team are currently on a 10-match winless streak, with the German recording two draws and three defeats in his five-match PSL tenure.
A 2-0 defeat to the Buccaneers in Soweto pushed fans over the edge and prompted around two dozen placard-carrying supporters to confront Middendorp at the airport yesterday afternoon.
Bemused Chippa players and other travellers looked on as the group chanted and hurled insults at Middendorp. Some players laughed, others shook their heads.
Disgruntled Chippa supporters waved placards reading “The coach is dead and the team is dead”, “Thank you Miden-Lose and draw. Master of losing”, “Who is Middendorp? Oh ... The ex Chippa United FC coach?” and “We want Roger back” while waiting at the arrivals gate.
The atmosphere became tense as their voices became louder. Some took pictures while others took videos of the action.
As Middendorp emerged supporters shouted: “You must go ...... You must go ...... You must go.”
One supporter Pamella Buwa, of New Brighton, representing the Nebfa Chippa United Supporters Club, got up close and personal shouting in the German coach’s face: “We have supported you from day one and this is how you repay us. You must go, you are taking our team back to NFD.”
A furious Middendorp then asked Buwa: “Who is paying you and how much have they paid you?” She responded, “Nobody paid us. We are the supporters and we are telling you that we are not happy with the results. You must go.”
Two police officers then came to Middendorp’s rescue pushing fans away attempting to clear a path for him.
Buwa told reporters that they as Chippa United supporters are not happy with the current club’s results.
“Today we want the coach (Middendorp) to see how we feel because we are not happy with what we are seeing. We have been losing games since he joined the team. We have only two points from five games.
“They must bring back the former coach Roger (Sikhakhane) or if it comes to the push we can even coach the team ourselves as supporters.”
Chippa are currently 11th on the log with 24 points from 22 games. More importantly though, they are sliding down a slippery slope towards the relegation zone.
Chippa United’s captain James Okwuosa said he understood the supporters’ anger because the team had not been performing well of late.
“Every coach has his own tactics. They have their own way of doing things,” said Okwuosa.
The Chilli Boys’ COO Lukhanyo Mzinzi said the club did not condone the actions of the supporters.
“We have to acknowledge as a club that there is a bit of frustration because of the results but they should be patient as the club is still new in the PSL.
“We know that results have not been coming forward and we have seen a drop in supporters’ attendance at the stadium. For us to take an irrational decision now might backfire on us.”
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