Back to basics for Chiefs after festive season break
PREMIER Soccer League leaders Kaizer Chiefs went back to work yesterday for the first time after the festive season break with coach Stuart Baxter telling them to forget talk about breaking records and being runaway title favourites and to instead get back to basics.
“I’ve told the players it is about getting back down to hard work and doing the same things that have got us into the lead, as best we can.
“We want to deliver the same quality we have so far this season.
“We must forget about records and hype and talk rather about our performances on the pitch. It is just a question of knuckling down to hard work,” he said.
Baxter has to work without five key players who are away on national duty – Nhlanhla Khuzwayo, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Mandla Masango, Mulomowandau Mathoho and Bernard Park- er – and while Baxter said it would be difficult without them over the next weeks, he would have to soldier on.
“The key is to see what they will be like when they are back. It could be they all have a good experience with Bafana at the African Nations Cup finals and come back really buoyed, or they will have their tails between their legs.
“It is only when they get back we can decide whether they slot right back in or need time to recover.”
Baxter welcomed new signing David Zulu, saying he planned to fit him into the club’s plans as quickly as possible.
A deal to sign last season’s top scorer in the First Division was concluded months ago between Chiefs and Chippa United.
Willard Katsande and Kgotso Moleko were back from injury while Katlego Mphela is undergoing further tests as he recovers from a broken foot.
Baxter got back from a trip overseas on Tuesday.