Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp feels his side were ‘non-existent’ during their defeat by Maritzburg United at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

The Glamour Boys were eliminated from the Telkom Knockout Cup in the semi-final after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Team of Choice through a brace from Judas Moseamedi.

Maritzburg will now meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the competition, scheduled to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 14 December.

Middendorp insists he’ll put their defeat behind them and regroup to focus on their upcoming clash with Stellenbosch FC at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.

‘It is a disappointing situation,’ Middendorp told his club’s official website.

‘We didn’t meet the expectations of “a favourite team” going into this match. It is an unexpected loss and a blow to our trophies ambition.

‘We were non-existent in the midfield and we were not alert in defence. Perhaps owing to the absence of the suspended Erick Mathoho, Willard Katsande and Daniel Akpeyi.

‘It’s time to quickly reorganise. We are currently on form in the league. We have to move with speed to the next game on Wednesday. We only have a day to recover and travel to Cape Town.

‘It is no doubt, we didn’t perform the way we expected. After equalising you always think you’re back in it. But it didn’t work for us on the day. Next game is Wednesday and we must move on.’

Kaizer Chiefs against Stellenbosch FC kicks off at 7:30pm.