Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Cole Alexander says Amakhosi players have bought into coach Stuart Baxter’s strategy for what will be an “interesting” Mamelodi Sundowns DStv Premiership clash this weekend.

Alexander is eager and ready to face the Brazilians on Sunday afternoon at 17h00 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, for what is sure to be one of Chiefs’ toughest battles in the league  this season.

He is up for the challenge as Chiefs look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2021-22 league campaign and go in search of another win.

Alexander featured in Chiefs earlier meeting with Sundowns in the MTN8 quarterfinals – edged narrowly on penalties by Sundowns – and says he and the team is hoping to improve on their performance in that game,

“We have been planning and it helps that we played them in the MTN8. We are analyzing that game and we are working on the training ground with the coach. We are all buying into the coach’s tactics for the game and slowly getting onto the same page. I think that will make it a very interesting match and we will be very much up to it,” says the experienced midfielder ahead of the game.

Alexander was named man of the match in Chiefs’ opening league game of the season against TS Galaxy, and he is under no illusions as to the magnitude of the challenge Chiefs will face on this afternoon,

“Sundowns are a very good footballing team with good players, with good individual abilities. I also believe we have what it takes. I am buying into the instructions and the strategy that we are going into this game with, and believe in it. If we all play according to instructions, we can match them and do well,” adds Alexander.

Chiefs will go into the game having researched and studied their opponents well.

“Their movement off the ball is what they are good at. We need to do our homework…and know what they do, so that with better awareness we can make choices on the field that will better help us. At the same time, we must focus on our game, which we are doing. Once we can get the balance of that right, we can do well,” he says.

Having played against Sundowns many times before in his career, Alexander knows all about facing them on their own turf.

“It’s not easy to play Sundowns at Loftus, but I prefer that field to Atteridgeville. It’s a bit more compact and this field will suit us and the way we play. It’s not easy going there and getting a result against Sundowns, (but) with what we have here and who Chiefs are as a team, it’s very much doable,” said Alexander confidently.

On a personal level Alexander is pleased to be making progress.

“I still believe that I am better than what I am showing. There’s still so much room for improvement in my own game and I am working on that,” says the versatile midfielder.

As an experienced campaigner Alexander has also had different roles on the field of play and in the team setup itself.

“I am happy to do an attacking job or defensive job in a game. I am also hoping to share my experiences with the youth in the team. There is quality amongst the young players here and I see a bright future for them. I am hoping to add value in that regard,” concludes Alexander, who has featured in Chiefs two DStv Premiership games already this season, a 0-0 draw in their opening game against TS  Galaxy and in Amakhosi’s 2-1 win over Baroka.