“Every game is different,” reflects Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter after Wednesday evening’s draw against Moroka Swallows and ahead of the upcoming Telkom Knockout clash against Platinum Stars. “This is a Cup game and, of course, we want to go to the next phase.” The Amakhosi host Dikwena in this quarterfinal encounter at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kick-off at 3pm).

Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars have already faced each other three times this season (once for the Absa Premiership and twice for the MTN8). The Amakhosi won all three, scoring seven goals, while not conceding.

On the upcoming fourth encounter, Baxter notes: “We didn’t play well against Moroka Swallows. Our players will therefore be fired up for the Stars clash to make up for the two points lost on Wednesday night.”

Kaizer Chiefs have a few players out at the moment due to injuries. However, Baxter is happy that Bernard Parker will be available again for Sunday’s Cup game. Besides that, the coach adds: “Kingston Nkhatha looked jaded yesterday, despite working hard. It was probably as a result of the stomach flu from which the striker suffered over the weekend. But he will surely be ready for the Stars clash.”

This season the Amakhosi have already won the MTN8 Cup. Asked if he’s looking for another trophy (the Telkom Knockout), Baxter reacts: “Chiefs is a Club with ambitions, so you want to win all the trophies available.”

Finally, Baxter stresses the point that the team won’t take the Platinum Stars lightly, despite already having beaten the club three times this season: “That was in the past. No game is easy. Platinum Stars are a difficult opponent.”