‘No chance’ – Middendorp issues brutal Chiefs verdict on Velebayi and Baartman

Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp has questioned the mental fortitude of the current crop at Naturena, claiming several stars lack the “resilience” required to survive at the elite level.

The veteran German tactician, speaking on The Wash 2.0 Podcast, suggested that a “Naturena mentality” is just as important as technical ability—a trait he believes is currently missing in some of the club’s high-profile signings.

Middendorp, who also enjoyed a successful spell as technical director at Durban City FC, argued that the weight of expectation at South Africa’s ‘Big Three’—Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns—is often too much for players recruited solely on natural talent.

Mental strength vs. Natural talent

“Everybody thinks you can play for Kaizer Chiefs; everybody thinks you can play for Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns,” Middendorp said. “I have worked with a lot of players who are, or have been, in those squads. I can say—no chance for some of them. They don’t have the required mentality or the resilience. They are simply not ready.”

The former Arminia Bielefeld boss, who has managed extensively across Germany, Africa, and Asia, highlighted that the psychological demands of playing in front of a demanding Gauteng fan base are often overlooked during the recruitment process.

The Velebayi and Baartman verdict

Middendorp specifically pointed to young duo Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman as examples of the “talent vs. temperament” divide. While both players arrived with high reputations after a protracted legal battle with Cape Town Spurs, Middendorp believes the step up to the Glamour Boys may have come too soon.

“You can take Asanele Velebayi as an example. Fantastic player, exciting, entertaining—perfect,” Middendorp explained. “You can take Luke Baartman, a fantastic, lovable guy, also superb. But playing for Kaizer Chiefs in the stage where they are now? No chance.”

Recruitment under the microscope

The German’s comments cast a spotlight on the scouting departments at the country’s biggest clubs. Middendorp insists that until recruitment focuses on “psychological demands” rather than just “technical DNA,” the struggle for consistency will continue.

Velebayi has managed 13 appearances this term after missing pre-season, while Baartman has found his path blocked, featuring only six times. For Middendorp, the solution is clear: “You see them so excited to go into the stadium. They need 90 minutes just to get it [the feeling of the game], and by then, the game is over.”