“The Free State Stars game was a tricky one because of all the hype about Kingston Nkhatha and the booing of him by a section of our supporters,” reflected Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter on the 1-0 win over Ea Lla Koto on Tuesday evening. “Also, Stars were sitting very deep in their own half, trying to catch us on the break.”

“Furthermore, we had to change our way of play, because of players being suspended and being out injured. When we scored the opener, Stars still continued to sit. However, we played really well, especially after we scored the second goal. We could have made another three.”

“On the other hand, the last 15 minutes were very sloppy from our side. That’s also how we conceded the goal – it came as a result of a misunderstanding in the defence. Thereafter, we had to try to negotiate the full 90 minutes.”

Nkhatha scored the match’s opening goal. “Kingston was magnificent tonight,” enthused Baxter. “The crowd was also magnificent. Even when Kingston failed to score early in the match, they supported him.”

“It seems that what happened on Saturday had an effect on the crowd. Because even that small section of the crowd that wasn’t supportive earlier, tried hard to cheer him on tonight, whatever happened on the field. The atmosphere was brilliant. And Kingston deservedly won the Man of the Match award.”

Chiefs will face Mpumalanga Black Aces at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 20 December (kick-off at 15:30).