Morale high in Chiefs camp

Johannesburg - Having been under pressure to overturn the result from their last game, Kaizer Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter says he is pleased with Amakhosi’s 4-1 victory over Polokwane City in difficult conditions at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Bernard Parker scored a brace to set Chiefs on course, while Erick Mathoho and Kingston Nkhatha applied the finishing touches as the Soweto giants climbed to third in the Premiership standings.

“It was a difficult evening in many ways,” Baxter said after the game, which had to be halted after 13 minutes due to severe lightning and heavy rain.

“One, difficult because we made it very obvious to the players that we wanted a positive response for the poor result we had in our last game.

“Two, we played against a team full of confidence. Boebie’s (Solomons) done a good job to re-organise them and give some self-belief to them.

“And three, it was a rain interrupted game, so you’re always worried that when you come after you’ve been inside it could be a bit more difficult to fire ourselves up again.”

Chiefs went down to a hard working Platinum Stars outfit in their last outing, kicking Baxter’s side out of the Telkom Knockout cup competition, but the Englishman said he was happy, despite Chiefs gifting City with a late consolation goal.

“I thought the players did a very good job. If I’m being over-critical, I think we could have been more clinical in front of goals,” he said.

“I could have done without the lack of concentration that ended in Polokwane scoring, but maybe that’s being a little bit over-critical.”

Chiefs were six points off where they were at the same stage last season, but Baxter said although disappointed at not having made the same start, the Glamour Boys simply had to stay in touch with the rest of the pack.

“We could have done better,” Baxter said of the season so far.

“We could have scored more goals, we could have been a bit tighter and been a bit more difficult to break down and that would have transferred into maybe three or four more points.

“As long as we’re there or thereabouts, within striking distance, then I’m happy enough.”

Wednesday’s victory lifted Chiefs to third, level on 18 points with Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United and two points behind log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who still have a game in hand over the chasing trio.

“I thought the players did well and I think it’s a bit more difficult than a lot of people think to be a Chiefs player tonight,” Baxter concluded.

“They played against a good opponent, which they knew they had to win and they knew a sloppy performance would not be tolerated.

“At times we played some very good football. I’m very pleased with the performance, especially because I know that Polokwane are a dangerous opponent.”