“We are totally not thinking about winning the cup. We are looking at the next game as a difficult tie and we hope we will proceed to the next round. That’s all what is in our minds, preparing well and that’s what we can control.” The Kaizer Chiefs mentor was speaking at a gathered media at the TKO Last 16 Media Open Day.

“To have one eye on now and one on the future means you are not focused,” says Baxter about his team’s focus on the next game, and that’s the weekend’s mouth watering match against a resilient Steve Khompela’s Maritzburg United.

Baxter gives an overview of Maritzburg from last weekend’s Absa Premiership encounter, “The last game they played very deep. They made it difficult for us to pick our way through.” Chiefs won the encounter through a Mandla Masango penalty.

Baxter reveals his planning, “We always plan for continuity and consistency. The challenge and what gives me sleepless night is to get the rest of the guys on par and up to speed.”

About Tsepo Masilela who has scooped three Man of the Matches so far this season, Baxter says, “He is an intelligent player and has improved a lot since I came here. He has the right attitude when he is doing his job.”

Itumeleng Khune and Katlego Mphela have been reported to be progressing well from their respective injuries, Baxter had this to say, ”They are both moving forward very well and they will start training soon.” When probed on the return of Khune and the current brilliance of Khuzwayo, Baxter continues, “If Itu comes back it will be a matter of competition for him and the other players.”

And the good run of form? “We are concentrating on our performance at the moment. That’s what we can control, when a defeat comes it will be a matter of how we respond to that as a setback,” concludes a visibly inspired Coach Baxter.

The TKO Last 16 match is billed at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 4 October 2014 at 20:15. Tickets are sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide at R40 and R10 for adults and children respectively. Gates open at 17:00.