“It has been a long journey, which probably started at the end of last season,” Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter reacted after having held the Absa Premiership trophy in Port Elizabeth.

The coach also commented that the season’s circle came round with the final match of the season against Chippa United: “Our first friendly during pre-season was also against Chippa in Port Elizabeth.”

“We started the league season brilliantly, going on a fantastic 19-game unbeaten run and winning the MTN8,” continued Baxter. “However, at the beginning of this year we gave our nearest chasers Mamelodi Sundowns a bit of hope by dropping points. However, just when Sundowns got a sniff, the guys picked themselves up, winning five league matches on the trot towards the end of the season.”

Chiefs beat Chippa 2-0 thanks to goals from Mandla Masango and Willard Katsande.

“We really played well in the first half,” Baxter reflected. “In the second half, it was not so good. It was more about enjoyment and we started doing little tricks on the ball which the crowd appreciated by whistling loudly.”

Then, the coach added with a wry smile: “For once, I accepted that showboating on the ball, because we had already won the league. So I just stood back, that was fine for today.”

Baxter was most satisfied with the way the second goal came to about: “A month ago, we started putting these movements, ahead of the eventual finish, in our repertoire. To score the second goal like that - as a coach, to see the work done at training come true in a game situation. Those ten seconds, to see that happen, were probably even more satisfying for me than winning the championship.”

There was also a tragedy after the match, when some supporters entered the pitch. During an incident with the police, a Chiefs fan was killed.

“Our condolences from the entire Kaizer Chiefs Family to the family of the deceased,” a visibly emotional Baxter reacted upon hearing the news.