Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp insists his side showed ambition and real character to come back to defeat Polokwane City 3-2 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Amakhosi went 2-0 down after Lesiba Nku and Jabu Maluleke handed Polokwane the lead, but three goals in eight minutes late in the second half from Willard Katsande, Anthony Akumu and Samir Nurkovic secured Chiefs all three points.

The victory extends Amakhosi’s lead to six points at the top of the league standings, while Rise and Shine remain rooted in 15th place and in the relegation zone – a point from safety.

Middendorp also praised the impact of Willard Katsande, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Bernard Parker for their performance in the second half against Rise and Shine.

‘We weren’t a very happy team at half-time. Credit to Polokwane City. They caught us sleeping three or four times,’ Middendorp told SuperSport TV after the game.

‘The changes helped us in the second half with the bringing in of experienced players like Katsande, Rama, Bernard Parker. In the second half, we had a calmness, coolness, we built up in a totally different way.

‘Being 2-0 down and scoring three goals in eight minutes shows the ambition, shows the character that each player had.

‘It was not good in the second half. There was no pressure on the ball. The long balls were coming over our defensive line and we didn’t react.

‘We were much better in the second half. We were ambitious, focused, committed. We wanted to win this game and we have done it.

‘I’m not concerned with other sides’ results, who wins, who loses. I can only focus on Kaizer Chiefs, to work with the team, to prepare the team.

‘History is past. Yesterday is past. The current moment is a gift. It’s fantastic. The future we all know is a secret. Nobody knows. We want to win this championship. We said it in August last year and we are working hard for it as we have seen today,’ he concluded.