We didn't work hard enough

The Amakhosi battled to a 0-1 extra time win against a fluid and an enthusiastic NFD side, Black Leopards. There were no dull moments in the 120 min played in front of a half full Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

At stake was a passage to the Last 16 of the 2014 Nedbank Cup and the Amakhosi as the defending Champions, were not prepared to let go of their trophy. Chiefs proved on the day that losing to lower division opponents in this competition is a thing of the past.

Coach Stuart Baxter was relieved that his Team will be in the Last 16 after the tough Sunday afternoon up North.

"We knew Black Leopards were a decent Team. In terms of the actual event, you've seen with all other Teams that are playing in these sort of games, you are playing with the Teams that have nothing to lose. They were going forward and playing with the ball very well," said Baxter.

"It is a different motivation level. For some of the players it must have been difficult to run this game out. Leopards were passing the ball well and their movement was good. Our players had to work hard and at times we didn't answer by saying we will work hard," commented Baxter.

"We knew less about Leopards but we knew they were going to lift their game. They were going to give 150% and if we didn't give the same we would be out of the Cup. It was a big event for them," continued Baxter.

"It has been a difficult two months for us. We travel, recoup, pick the Team to play and debrief. We haven't got enough training sessions. Me changing the Team all the time it doesn't do anything for the continuity," lamented the Chiefs' Mentor.

"We are not as tight as we were two months ago. Our confidence is high at the moment because we have won some games but I think we still need some training time," said Baxter.

"Looking at the performance of the Team here today, leaves much to be desired partly because Leopards played and passed the ball well, and got in between lines well but also partly we did some elementary things not very well," said Baxter.

"We are relieved to get to the next round and we should be relieved that the next week will offer us a couple of training sessions to address the things that we didn't do well," concluded Baxter speaking at the post match press conference.

Leopards: Mokhasi, Manaka, Mabotja (Ramodumo 102’), Munganga, Nyirenda, Munyai, Mumuni, Tshepe, Ntshangase (Ndebele 86’), Ndou (Amidu 69’), Zulu

Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Gould, Mashamaite, Mtsweni, Katsande, Maluleka (Letsholonyane 66’), Tshabalala, Lebese, Nkosi (Rusike 87’), Mphela (Musona 65’)