Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp believes his side failed to adapt to the conditions in Tembisa in their defeat by Highlands Park.

Amakhosi were unable to progress to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after conceding a 5-4 defeat on penalties by the Lions of the North at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday.

Musa Nyatama scored the winning penalty for the Lions of the North after Khama Billiat struck the woodwork with Chiefs’ final attempt from the spot kick.

The German mentor admits that Amakhosi failed to make the most of their chances at goal as they struggled to break down the defence of Highlands.

‘It was one of those games where we did everything to win but it was not to be,’ Middendorp told his club’s official website.

‘Highlands Park brought their A game to us and we couldn’t unlock them to create enough chances to score.

‘Both teams played under unfavourable conditions. We struggled a bit to adapt, but I thought we could have been awarded a penalty during extra time when Dumisani Zuma was tripped with a clear chance to score.’

Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attention to the Absa Premiership when they face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a much-anticipated Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off set for 3:30pm.