Baxter not disappointed

Johannesburg - Following Sunday's tightly-contested goalless draw with Platinum Stars, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says he is pleased with his team's performance and the way they stuck to their structures throughout.

"The game was always going to be a difficult as there was a lot riding on it," Baxter said in Polokwane on Sunday.

"Both teams knew the importance of it and I was pleased with the way we approached the game from the off.

"I can't say I'm angry we didn't beat the team that's second on the log. They've already beaten us once this year."

The draw keeps Chiefs top of the table, but the Soweto side had the opportunity of getting within touching distance of the title had they claimed maximum points.

"I think we played some decent football in the first half and created a few chances, which is what you're looking to do," Baxter added.

"We played with the principles that we've used all season.

"A lot to play for and the players knew that, and they're disappointed that we couldn't get three points, but I think they still see the table and they probably excuse themselves a little bit."

Stars kept themselves in the hunt for the title, but remained six points behind Chiefs, with three games left to play. They are still the only side to have beaten the Amakhosi this season.

Chiefs dominated for large parts of the game, while Stars were twice denied by the woodwork in the first half, as the teams were made to share the spoils in front of a packed Peter Mokaba crowd.

"We came under one sustained period of pressure around a few set-plays which resulted in one hitting the crossbar," Baxter said of Stars' near-misses.

"We got out of jail on that one, but apart from that in the first half, I thought we were true to ourselves."

Meanwhile, Stars coach Cavin Johnson, who boldly stated ahead of the encounter that Chiefs had already won the title, reiterated his earlier comments, and praised Baxter and his outfit for their performance.

"Firstly, well done to Stuart Baxter, my colleague and winner of the league," Johnson said.

"We like to play against Kaizer Chiefs. It's always a pleasure to play against a team that's well organised.

"As a coach and as a team, you have to go out and do your homework because it's not just a matter of throwing balls at them and hoping for the best. They are organised in a lot of departments."

Johnson believed his team had performed well during moments of the game and added that they should be pleased with the result.

"We played decent football in moments, and for that my team is very happy," he said.

"The fact that we hit the crossbar and the upright in the first half --that's football. Hopefully we can fight to take second position."

In Sunday's only other result, SuperSport United returned to their winning ways when they defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 at the Princess Magogo Stadium. The result lifted the Pretoria outfit safely into fourth spot on the log.