The Team of Choice secured their second win of the DStv Premiership season as a second-half brace from Judas Moseamedi secured a 2-0 success away to Chiefs.
While Maritzburg had a full week to prepare, Chiefs were involved Champions League action in Angola on Wednesday.
"We had a complete week to prepare it and this is a little bit of a handicap of a team travelling to Angola, not being really recovered," Middendorp told SuperSport after the game.
"I could see it in the beginning and we have to be very honest. But this is part of the business. If you want to be on the international side, you have to manage this.
To came to our advantage. The freshness I could see wasn't there. But of course, we had to adjust in half-time. We had some problems with Khama [Billiat] out of his position.
"And good, we became more comfortable. We have the players who can make out of three or four chances two goals. I don't know how Judas scored his goal. It was fantastic, outstanding. But this is his quality. Compliments to him, he was absolutely fantastic."