Chiefs were handed a hefty 3-1 defeat by ZESCO United in their play-off round first leg tie at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday.
They now face an uphill battle to try and overturn the aggregate scoreline in the return leg set for the FNB Stadium against the Zambian champions this weekend.
Middendorp conceded that just the solitary away goal does not do much for their chances in their own backyard, but remains quietly optimistic of making use of their opportunities come Saturday.
"I would have loved to see a second goal, which would have made it a bit easier but we're quite confident in certain moments," said Middendorp.
"It will be dificult [in the second leg], there's no doubt about that, but I think we will take the chance and work around it and then we will see."
It will take plenty of mental strength and resilience for Amakhosi to not only claw their way back into the tie but also keep the visitors at bay, yet the German tactician refuses to write off his charges.
"I think it's not a done affair, we have our opportunities in playing at home at FNB Stadium and hopefully we will not give away possession as often for the opponents to score," he added.
"And being able to pick up chances that we will create as we did [in Ndola], and definitely next Saturday evening too."
Chiefs will now momentarily turn their attention back to domestic action when they tackle AmaZulu in an Absa Premiership clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening (19h30 kick-off).