A ‘surprised’ Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says he does not understand why Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane criticises players for showboating.

The German mentor has spoken out on counterpart Mosimane criticising Orlando Pirates attacker Fortune Makaringe for showboating during the Buccaneers 1-0 victory over Sundowns on 15 January.

Middendorp says he doesn’t have a problem with players using their skills in eliminating opponents in one-and-one situations, referring to Lionel Messi and Neymar.

‘I was a little bit surprised to hear one of the most decorated coaches recently put this [showboating] on such a negative critical platform,’ Middendorp told SuperSport TV.

‘I didn’t understand it comes out of him. The important thing for me is in their own half running back doing this crap [showboating], sorry it doesn’t work for me.

‘Someone will try and be clever by showing you a YouTube clip of Messi and Neymar doing it and they will say they do it all over the world. But they do it to eliminate one on one.

‘They do it so they can successfully create a goal. When you find a reason to explain it to me why someone does this in their own half just to do it, then what is the purpose, you shouldn’t do it.

‘I made it very clear sometimes players get carried away, therefore don’t waste time and energy to talk about it – just leave it.’

Kaizer Chiefs will now focus on their Nedbank Cup round-of-32 clash with Royal Eagles at the FNB Stadium on 8 February, with kick-off set for 6pm.