Despite Cape Town Spurs’ disappointing performance in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the club’s chairman, Ari Efstathiou, has publicly backed head coach Ernst Middendorp to remain in charge for the remainder of the season. The decision comes amid mounting pressure on the team and its manager, as the club has struggled to meet expectations in South Africa’s second-tier league.
Cape Town Spurs, once a proud top-flight club, has found themselves battling for consistency in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being relegated from the Premier Division in the previous season. With the aim of securing promotion back to the top tier, Spurs were expected to mount a serious challenge for the league title, but their campaign has been far from smooth. Their recent form has seen them fail to make significant strides in the league standings, leaving fans and pundits frustrated by what appears to be a lack of progress.
Despite these struggles, Efstathiou, who took over as chairman in 2022, has publicly reaffirmed his confidence in Middendorp’s leadership. In an official statement released on Wednesday, the chairman emphasized that the club was committed to supporting the German coach through what has been a challenging period.

“Ernst Middendorp remains the right man for the job, and we are backing him to continue his work with the team throughout the rest of the season,” said Efstathiou. “It’s been a tough period, no doubt, but we believe in Ernst’s experience, his tactical knowledge, and his ability to turn things around. We are confident that, with his guidance, Cape Town Spurs will improve and return to where they belong — in the Premier Division.”
Middendorp, who has managed various clubs in South Africa, including Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United, has a wealth of experience in domestic football. Known for his intense and sometimes controversial style, he was appointed as Cape Town Spurs’ head coach at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, with the goal of achieving promotion back to the top flight. However, with the club sitting mid-table and failing to gain significant momentum, his position has been called into question by some supporters and media outlets.
The decision to stick with Middendorp is seen as a vote of confidence from Efstathiou and the club’s board, despite the current struggles. The chairman’s statement highlights the importance of stability at the club, which has seen significant turnover in both playing staff and managerial appointments over the last few seasons. Efstathiou made it clear that the club would not be making knee-jerk decisions but rather remain focused on long-term goals.
“Football is a game of cycles. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but we have to stay calm and focused on the bigger picture,” Efstathiou continued. “Ernst is a coach who understands the demands of South African football, and we are working together to make the necessary adjustments. We believe in him and the players, and we are looking forward to seeing improvement in the second half of the season.”
For Middendorp, the backing from his chairman is an important morale booster as he looks to stabilize the team’s performance. The coach has been under pressure due to a series of disappointing results, but he has remained resolute in his approach, focusing on improving the team’s defensive organization and overall discipline.
The club’s poor form has been characterized by a lack of consistency in both attack and defense. Despite having a solid squad on paper, Cape Town Spurs has failed to capitalize on key moments in matches and has struggled to string together a series of positive results. While some of the team’s younger players have shown flashes of talent, the lack of experienced heads in the squad has contributed to their struggles.
Middendorp, who has built a reputation for developing youth talent, will now be hoping that the faith shown by Efstathiou and the board translates into better performances on the pitch. Spurs will need to make significant improvements in the second half of the season if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge, with the league currently looking competitive.
While the pressure on Middendorp may not completely ease, the decision to support him publicly sends a clear message to both the squad and the fans: the club is committed to a long-term plan and is prepared to weather the storm. With the backing of the chairman, the coach will be hoping to steady the ship and push Cape Town Spurs back towards the upper echelons of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Middendorp and the players to see if they can rise to the occasion and fulfill the club’s ambitions of securing promotion back to the DStv Premiership.