Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp believes his side played too many long balls against Polokwane City on Saturday evening as Amakhosi were handed their first loss of the season.

Chiefs were pegged back early in the game as Jabulani Maluleke fired home from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after Daniel Akpeyi brought down Charlton Mashumba in the penalty area.

Middendorp’s men went on to dominate large parts of the encounter but could not break down a determined and disciplined City side.

Speaking after the game the German coach admitted that his side did not show enough composure and were too erratic as they chased the game.

‘It wasn’t our game. We played consistent long balls. It was good central defensive work from the opponents. We had too many long balls on our side,’ Middendorp told SuperSport TV.

‘On the other side, we had possibilities to equalise or to make it happen, we tried but we didn’t find the right keys. We had to be calm and more composed but that was definitely missing in our game today.

‘If you allow them to have a 1-0 lead with the penalty, then it’s even more difficult because this team they sit back with nine guys around.

‘And then you have to have quick ball circulation and not with high balls in the centre-back roles and we have been too erratic. We have to do it different and we can do it different,’ Middendorp concluded.