As the two heavyweights clash for the second time this season, Kaizer Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter thinks defeating Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday in the DStv Premiership is a “nice-to-have” rather than a “must-have.”
Sundowns eliminated Amakhosi on penalties in the MTN8 quarterfinals after a 2-2 draw, implying that, despite the setback, Baxter’s Chiefs might give Masandawana a run for their money in the title fight this season.
“It is extremely early, and everyone is working very hard to set down markers,” said Baxter, whose side has four points from its first two Premiership games.
“I would accept the positive (of a win) in a heartbeat… it would be a… indication that our progress is on track. But even if one of the teams loses, I’m expecting they’ll be there or thereabouts when it comes down to the end of the stick. It is beneficial for confidence, but it is not required. It’s wonderful to have.”
Sundowns co-head coach Rulani Mokwena, whose team also have four points from their opening two league games, concurred with his opposite number.
“It is a nice-to-have,” said Mokwena.
“We want to beat an archrival since they are one of the best teams in the country, and it would be a great feeling. We saw how well that worked for us last season (Sundowns won a fourth successive league title). We won our first game 3-0. (against Chiefs). It put our squad in a position where they think they can play against anyone in their own unique way.”
[the_ad id=”2176″]The Chiefs rallied from a two-goal hole in the MTN8, but Baxter does not feel this victory gives his team a psychological advantage over their opponents heading into Sunday.
“In the first 30 minutes, going 2-0 down to Sundowns, we were well within out rights to feel the game was a bridge too far,” said Baxter.
We were thrilled with how well we came back in the second half. I don’t think it provides us a psychological advantage, but it does give us some hope that if we perform our jobs effectively, we may be terrible opponents for them. We also were slapped on the wrist, and it informed us that if we put our fingers in the fire against Sundowns, we’d get burned.”
