Baxter: We were lucky

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs had lady luck on their side, snatching a 1-0 win over SuperSport United in Polokwane on Wednesday night, coach Stuart Baxter said.

"We have to count ourselves lucky to have this result," said the Amakhosi coach.

"The way we opened the game in the first half it was not brave enough. We didn't have the type of courage you need when you get on the ball and take responsibility to make good decisions."

Chiefs survived dangerous raids from United in the first half as well as in the dying minutes of the match when they were desperately trying to defend their one goal lead.

However Baxter believed Chiefs should have scored more than one goal particularly when United exposed themselves at the back concentrating their efforts upfront.

"In the second half they pushed forward with a little less control and we could have scored three or four goals," Baxter said.

"We've had better chances but I thought we could have been a little more professional in front of goal. We have a long way to go."

Disappointed SuperSport coach Cavin Johnson blamed the result on poor refereeing which saw Innocent Mkhabela sent off for his involvement in a scuffle which began between Itumeleng Khune and Mame Niang.

"I think the goal they scored was a soft freekick," said Johnson.

"A lot of times you've got to look at the consistency of the refs. We are professionals in this game and we want to play a good game of football.

"I don't know why my player was sent off. That was shocking. I think Mame went to Khune to say sorry and it turned into a brawl."

The win saw Chiefs open the gap to 11 points at the top of the table while SuperSport dropped one place to fourth, 13 points behind Chiefs.