Chan poser, but Baxter backs Bafana

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 13: Stuart Baxter with his team during the Kaizer Chiefs training session and press conference from Naturena on May 13, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 13: Stuart Baxter with his team during the Kaizer Chiefs training session and press conference from Naturena on May 13, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

Published Nov 21, 2013

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Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter may have given Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund glimmer of hope by saying Amakhosi will try to “bend over backwards” to support the national team with the African Nations Championships (Chan) a little over a month away.

Igesund, under pressure to win Chan, is not guaranteed a full-strength squad of local players for the competition, which is not a Fifa-sanctioned event, but would have been pleased to hear what Baxter had to say on Wednesday, although nothing is certain at this stage.

“I think Kaizer Chiefs have been a great supporter of the national team. I’ve had conversations with Gordon where we’ve agreed to try to be professional as much as possible and not abuse the players. And we will continue to support the national team as much as we can without damaging the interests of Kaizer Chiefs,” said Baxter.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) have scheduled games during Chan, and that will make life difficult for Igesund to get his desired players released.

“That will be the same conversation I will probably have with Gordon again and we will try to bend over backwards to support the national team. But if you are saying this is not a Fifa date and they put two PSL games on the days they should be playing for the national team for Chan, then we have a battle, haven’t we? A real problem, but we will see. We will have that conversation in good faith.”

January could be a busy period for Chiefs, with players coming in during the transfer window to bolster the squad that has struggled for consistency since the start of the season. Baxter said he has been in discussion with manager Bobby Motaung to bring in three new faces to the squad that will also compete in the Caf Champions League, to add onto league and local cup commitments.

“Bobby and I have been speaking for a long time. We’ve got a few names and a few positions. Hopefully we will make three signings.”

And don’t rule out an early return for defender Lincoln Zvasiya, who is on loan to Greek club OFI Crete. Baxter said he may need the Zimbabwean defender if Amakhosi get hit by injuries.

“It’s possible (for Zvasiya to come back). I don’t think we have made a decision on that. Lincoln is doing well there and if we see he is flying in the Greek league and we have some injuries, then it’s definitely something we will consider.”

Chiefs face Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday (8.15pm) and they will welcome back striker Knowledge Musona, who has been on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury against Free State Stars on October 20. Musona was initially expected to be out for six weeks, but has made a quick recovery and is probably itching to build on the good form he was starting to find before dislocating his shoulder. Amakhosi will, however, be without injured left-back Tsepo Masilela.

“Knowledge is back. He is in full training and is available for selection. Tsepo won’t be fit for this game,” the coach said.

Baxter warned his players not to give Stars freedom on the ball, or else the visitors will grow in confidence and punish Amakhosi. “They move the ball around quite well. So if we keep turning the ball, then they are going to grow in confidence.”

The Star

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