Johannesburg - SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter was impressed with the character of his players following their 3-2 Nedbank Cup success in an enthralling final against Orlando Pirates at the weekend.
Matsatsantsa came from a goal down to win 3-2 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane sealing a first trophy for the Scotsman after less than five months in the job.
“We played an excellent tactical first half, and we knew they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us with three at the back,” Baxter said.
“We gave them a goal back from some sloppy play at the back and then we had to weather the storm. “But I don't know, the depths of the character that the lads have shown after going 1-0 down to Pirates and winning is the biggest quality.”
Victory also ensured that the 62-year-old Briton maintained his unblemished cup final record in South Africa having won two previous cups with Kaizer Chiefs.
He is now aiming to build on the success he has achieved at SuperSport within the limited space of time. Apart from leading the Tshwane-based club to the Nedbank Cup, he also oversaw an eighth-place Absa Premiership finish, something that looked highly unlikely when he first arrived in January.
“The most integral thing in sports or business is sustained success, to make sure you are not a one-hit wonder,” Baxter explained. “You build on this success by challenging.
“We have to stretch ourselves. We have to add players to the squad that will help with competition.
“We have to find something tactically that we want to do. You cannot stand still when everybody is moving. If we think we are good enough, then others will move past us. So we have to keep an edge.
“I am sure when we come for pre-season training the players will feel challenged again. Maybe we can make a better showing in the league and defend this trophy.”
African News Agency