KAIZER Chiefs were impressively clinical in dispatching of Free State Stars on an "Afghanistan-standard" pitch, said Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter.
Chiefs ran out 1-0 winners on Saturday on a bumpy and dry Charles Mopeli Stadium pitch in Phuthaditjhaba to start their 2014-2015 Absa Premiership campaign with a win. "The pitch was rubbish," Baxter said.
"It's better for me to say the pitch was rubbish after we've won. If you say it after you've lost then everybody says you're making excuses. I thought we played very well on that pitch.
"I think I've [only] seen one in Afghanistan that was worse," the coach added half-jokingly.
Amakhosi were precise in their passing on the surface to dominate Stars. Baxter praised both sides for resisting the aerial route.
Negotiating a tricky away encounter successfully was made more impressive by results around Chiefs. Champions Mamelodi Sundowns started with a home draw against Maritzburg United, and fellow title contenders Orlando Pirates with a home defeat to Moroka Swallows.
"At the beginning of the season everybody is optimistic," Baxter said. "Everyone thinks they're going to win the league. It's only when the sand settles and people start going, 'Oh well, we're not doing so well', that their confidence gains. Until then you get those upset results.
"We go to the Free State, know it's a difficult game, and if we don't play well we can get turned over - so I'm happy to get the three points.
"We've been trying to get this team to concentrate on performance. To be a bit more efficient and less flamboyant. There's no point creating 25 chances if you get beaten 2-1, and I think it's shown in that the players are becoming more clinical.
"We're without Bernard Parker, Shabba [Siphiwe Tshabalala] and Knowledge Musona, who are all outstanding number 10s," Baxter said. "In the MTN8 we've bled George [Lebese] into the role ... it gives us a nice rotation [when those players are back]."
Amakhosi's midfield of Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and George Maluleka worked hard to dominate Ea Lla Koto.
Lebese, who scored on Saturday, is another player to have started the season looking in form. The coach also said it appeared increasingly likely Musona will be a Chiefs player this season.
The striker, on loan from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim last campaign, has been seeking a move overseas.
lSee Pages 24 and 26
Baxter flays Stars' pitch
KAIZER Chiefs were impressively clinical in dispatching of Free State Stars on an "Afghanistan-standard" pitch, said Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter.
Chiefs ran out 1-0 winners on Saturday on a bumpy and dry Charles Mopeli Stadium pitch in Phuthaditjhaba to start their 2014-2015 Absa Premiership campaign with a win. "The pitch was rubbish," Baxter said.
"It's better for me to say the pitch was rubbish after we've won. If you say it after you've lost then everybody says you're making excuses. I thought we played very well on that pitch.
"I think I've [only] seen one in Afghanistan that was worse," the coach added half-jokingly.
Amakhosi were precise in their passing on the surface to dominate Stars. Baxter praised both sides for resisting the aerial route.
Negotiating a tricky away encounter successfully was made more impressive by results around Chiefs. Champions Mamelodi Sundowns started with a home draw against Maritzburg United, and fellow title contenders Orlando Pirates with a home defeat to Moroka Swallows.
"At the beginning of the season everybody is optimistic," Baxter said. "Everyone thinks they're going to win the league. It's only when the sand settles and people start going, 'Oh well, we're not doing so well', that their confidence gains. Until then you get those upset results.
"We go to the Free State, know it's a difficult game, and if we don't play well we can get turned over - so I'm happy to get the three points.
"We've been trying to get this team to concentrate on performance. To be a bit more efficient and less flamboyant. There's no point creating 25 chances if you get beaten 2-1, and I think it's shown in that the players are becoming more clinical.
"We're without Bernard Parker, Shabba [Siphiwe Tshabalala] and Knowledge Musona, who are all outstanding number 10s," Baxter said. "In the MTN8 we've bled George [Lebese] into the role ... it gives us a nice rotation [when those players are back]."
Amakhosi's midfield of Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and George Maluleka worked hard to dominate Ea Lla Koto.
Lebese, who scored on Saturday, is another player to have started the season looking in form. The coach also said it appeared increasingly likely Musona will be a Chiefs player this season.
The striker, on loan from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim last campaign, has been seeking a move overseas.
lSee Pages 24 and 26
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