Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has explained why he left Willard Katsande out of the Soweto Derby first XI on Saturday.

Katsande who has been Chiefs’ stand-in captain in the absence of Itumeleng Khune came on as a second-half substitute, and this raised a few eyebrows as some people counted on his experience against Orlando Pirates over the years.

According to Soccer Laduma, Middendorp insisted that it was purely a tactical decision.

“It looks like we have done something right without Katsande. We have done something right without Billiat against AmaZulu. There is no guarantee for anybody, and there is no guarantee at this moment. It’s about performance,” he said.

“I have said before that all players are equal, but some players are more equal. And at this moment it is a decision of the technical team in this week preparing for this game.”

Chiefs led 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes of the game on Saturday afternoon before Thembinkosi Lorch levelled things up to secure a point for Pirates.