“We can play better,” Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter reflected after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces. “But I am happy with the three points. We didn’t want to finish the year on an anti-climax.”

The Amakhosi won thanks to a goal from Mandla Masango. More than 10, 000 spectators turned up at the FNB Stadium for the last game for both teams this year.

Thanks to the win, Chiefs kept their unbeaten league record this season, which now stands at 18 games in which 46 points were collected.

AmaZayoni coach Clive Barker had some nice words for the Amakhosi: “The team looked impressive, especially when their right-back Siboniso Gaxa moved forward. At some stage he delivered four crosses into our box in the space of about ten minutes.”

An Amakhosi fan had made a nice portrait of Chiefs coach Baxter, showing it in the stadium. It all brought a smile on the coach’s face: “I thought it had a bit of a Mel Gibson look.”

He also once again complimented the Amakhosi fans: “If they come behind the players, they are great. The best supporters in the country!”

Baxter had some positive words for midfielder Ivan Bukenya too: “In the second half, we had better off-the-ball movement. Ivan Bukenya played almost like a third centre-back, sitting very deep. It encouraged me to play with three centre-backs after we went 1-0 up. We were worried that we would struggle in the defensive midfield role after Willard Katsanda got injured. But Ivan has raised his hand, doing well in the two matches that he started and he should be applauded for that.”

On the way forward, Baxter added: “We made a massive stride forward since last season. However, we need to keep improving. Otherwise, sooner or later, we will get hit by a train. I told the players: ‘What we have done during so far this season, is great. But it’s now history. A new league starts in February.’ I am not busy with records. It’s always about beating the team on the other side of the field.”