Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp believes his sides win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup is a good step in terms of building confidence.

Chiefs blew Downs away in the first half of the exhibition match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday as Leonardo Castro bagged a hat-trick before Khama Billiat netted a fourth just before the break.

Pitso Mosimane’s team may have pulled two goals back in a much improved second half display, but it was not enough as Middendorp got his hands on the Shell Helix Ultra Cup.

Speaking after the game the German coach praised his team for coming out on top of a really competitive encounter, while he also praised the performance of Njabulo Blom and Dumisani Zuma and explained why the duo were taken off at halftime.

‘I said it before and I was not quoting somebody, I said it in a responsible way that, it is always very tough, it is not a friendly the game between Sundowns and Chiefs and in particular, the Shell Helix put a lot of effort, congratulations to them for organising this game.

‘We have seen it in the first half and over 90 minutes, a lot of aggressive moments, what do you expect? I said it, it’s really competitive, I think it’s fun.

‘I never would have taken this two changes at half-time, Njabulo Blom played a good game but he is involved tomorrow morning in the starting line-up too, therefore I have to manage a little bit, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, taking out Dumisani Zuma at half-time was not necessary, he had a good game, both were really in control, supported the team in a proper way but if you have six possibilities to change it gives you the freedom to change and we took it and I think everybody accepted so far.

‘It’s a good step in terms of building your confidence, you win, if you’re successful in the end, you get the three points, you win the Shell Helix Cup, it’s producing confidence and I think that’s what it is.’