Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has called on his players to challenge themselves to do more if they want to remain top of the Absa Premiership.

The Soweto giants currently enjoy a 10-point gap at the top of the league table heading into the midweek round of fixtures after the international break.

Chiefs will be looking to bounce back from their semi-final elimination from the Telkom Knockout Cup when they face newly promoted Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town on Wednesday.

After missing out on the opportunity to book their spot in the TKO final and coming closer to ending their over four-year trophy drought, their attention is now back on the league as they look to maintain and even grow their lead over the chasing pack.

‘It’s sometimes very nice to be on top of the league but the more difficult job steps in now, which is to stay there,’ said Middendorp.

‘You have to do more; be even more prepared and even [do] whatever is possible in addition in order to challenge yourself.

‘You know, there’s always something that’s progressing, is always on the edge. If you are sitting in a position and say, “Let’s relax” or whatever – no!

‘You have to challenge each and everybody, each management member, each team member, each player and so forth.

‘OK, that doesn’t really make you a person that’s lovable [because] you’re causing a little bit of stress, but that’s what we have to do.

‘We have to be more and better prepared; we have to fight for our better preparation.’