“Obviously, we are disappointed not going to the next round,” reflects Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter after the Amakhosi lost on penalties to Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout quarter-final. The game finished in a goalless draw after extra time.

“On the other hand, I was happy that we created so many chances,” continues Baxter. “It must be the most we ever created in the four matches we played against Platinum Stars this season. However, of course, what really disappoints me is that we couldn’t convert one of these chances in 120 minutes of play. But this is football. Now we have to focus on our next game and that is against Orlando Pirates.”

The coach did criticize the state of the field at the FNB Stadium: “The pitch was terrible to play on. It affected the players as we couldn’t play our normal game of quick passing. Instead, it was often easier just to use the long ball which doesn’t suit our style of play.”

On not using any substitution during normal playing time (90 minutes), Baxter reacts: “Siboniso Gaxa was struggling a bit with an injury, so that was one possible substitution I had to keep in reserve. And when it came to offensive substitutions, I think that we were okay. However, during the break between normal and extra time, we did decide to do some changes after five minutes.”

“Now our next game is the Soweto Derby,” Baxter notes, looking ahead to next Saturday’s match at the FNB Stadium. “We need to make sure that we get our balance back and we will work on that during training this week. It will be the right moment as well for our striker to step up and score some goals for us. We are looking forward to the Derby.”