Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter came to his players’ defence and explained the slow start in their 2-0 Absa Premiership win over Golden Arrows on Wednesday night.
According to the Football411.com website, it was stuttering opening 45 minutes for Chiefs in front of goal, but second half goals from Erick Mathoho and Kingston Nkhatha saw them claim all three points on the night.
Baxter admits there were a lot of factors going against his team on the night, but highlighted Chiefs’ busy schedule which has seen them in action almost every three days for the last week as they play catch-up in the league.
Baxter, though, said he was never any doubt that his team would pick up the win on the night and praised his players for their performance.
“Arrows gave certain resistance, the pitch was a little bit difficult to master and you have to remember we are coming back from a busy schedule and it is not easy, and playing against a team that is doing its best to try and stop you playing first and foremost, it is not easy,” said Baxter.
“Our possession was too complicated in the first half and we weren’t playing with the right sort of balance in the team, and I thought when we put that right at half time more chances came, and when the first goal came I thought it was going to be pretty safe.
“The boys deserve a pat on the back for their efforts tonight because these are not easy games, you don’t win them by just showing up and making an order.”
Baxter added that there are no superstars in the team and that is why they have been so successful this season.
“That has been part of the strength of the squad (our depth). We have got players that people call our front liners, but we don’t have any front liners, we just want and have players who can go on there and give a performance,” concluded Baxter.