Baxter warns against complacency

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24: Stuart Baxter and his bench during the MTN 8 Semi Final second leg match between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium on August 24, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24: Stuart Baxter and his bench during the MTN 8 Semi Final second leg match between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium on August 24, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Dec 17, 2014

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Johannesburg – Head coach Stuart Baxter has warned his Kaizer Chiefs team against complacency, as they continue their dream Premiership run.

Chiefs secured a 2-1 win over league strugglers Free State Stars in Polokwane on Tuesday night, in the penultimate round of matches before the mid-season break, stretching their unbeaten run to 17 matches.

The Soweto giants climbed 15 points clear at the top of the log, and while most of the teams below them held at least one game in hand, they were set to take a significant advantage into the second half of the campaign.

“I've said to the boys that we can beat any team in the league, but any team in the league can beat us,” Baxter said.

“If we don't approach the game properly we tread on a landmine at any time.”

Kingston Nkhatha gave the hosts the lead in the 35th minute, after receiving a header from Tefu Mashamaite and flicking the ball back to leave Stars goalkeeper Glenn Verbauwhede stranded.

Seven minutes after the interval, Nkhatha was involved again, delivering a neat pass to Siyabonga Nkosi who tapped it in to extend their lead.

Amakhosi held off the Stars attack for much of the last half hour, but the visitors were wayward with most of their chances.

With six minutes remaining, Ea Lla Koto were handed a consolation goal after a collision between Chiefs keeper Nhlanhla Khuzwayo and over-ambitious defender Eric Mathoho deflected the ball into the net.

Baxter was delighted to have Kingston, the Man of the Match, carrying the team up front.

The Chiefs mentor had stood up for the Zimbabwean international, who was booed by the club's fans during their 1-0 victory over Chippa United at the weekend.

The entire squad joined the on-pitch celebrations after he put them in front at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

“I work with Kingston and he knows I've got confidence in him,” Baxter said.

“I think it's nice to see him going to his teammates, and his teammates feeling for him.”

Meanwhile, Stars caretaker coach Kinnah Phiri was pleased with his team's performance, insisting they deserved at least a point.

Ea Lla Koto went down in their ninth defeat in 16 matches in the league campaign, remaining second from bottom as they continued to flounder in the relegation zone.

“I'm proud of the players. They put up a very big fight, and I'm sure if this team continues like this we'll get better results in the games that are coming,” Phiri said.

“We can't press any panic buttons. We are still okay. The team is still playing well, playing as a team.” – Sapa

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