DURBAN - With his team on course in three competitions, and his name linked to the biggest job vacancy in the country, it’s little surprise that SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter is beaming.
Not even a suspected broken toe to defender Mario Booysen midway through their Nedbank Cup last 32 round victory over Royal Eagles earlier this week could upset the Scotsman.
He was all smiles after his mix and match team reached the next round in defence of the cup competition with a 2-1 triumph over Eagles in Pietermaritzburg.
Sitting third in the Absa Premiership, reaching the last 16 of the Cup, and holding two away goals for this weekend’s return date against Sudanese opponents Al-Ahly Shendi in the CAF Confederation Cup, put SuperSport in a happy place.
Baxter is on a roll, and ready to rumble when they host Shendi in Atteridgeville on Sunday, looking to make up for the 3-2 first leg defeat in Sudan last weekend.
Even with the latest injury to Booysen, who joins striker Bradley Grobler and midfielder Cole Alexander on the list of unavailable players, the coach is confident that with home ground advantage they will overcome the challenges they faced in Sudan.
“They play 4-4-2, possession-based football, with two quick players, but they also whack it over the top. They won’t be easy opponents, but this (Nedbank Cup) game was good preparation because Eagles also play a possession game,” said Baxter.
In Shendi, veteran defender Morgan Gould was deployed in midfield to break up the home team’s attack, which he did well until injury struck, said the coach. However, Baxter was hopeful of having Gould and fellow defender Clayton Daniels back in the mix.
An equally important aspect of succeeding in Africa was a change of mindset and being street wise to be able to adapt game plans to suit various conditions and opponents.
It helps, too, that in recent years Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have raised the South African flag high in continental club action.
“I think the league is getting stronger. Tactically we can handle the north Africans,” said Baxter.