Stuart Baxter talks up his new-look Chiefs
Newly rebuilt side could be dangerous if they start well, their coach says
Competing in the Caf Champions League final has left Kaizer Chiefs playing catch-up in their pre-season preparations for the new season‚ coach Stuart Baxter said.
But Baxter believes that even if the new-look Chiefs are a work in progress‚ they could get a few good results and make up a combination to take notice of in the coming campaign.
Amakhosi lost 3-0 to Al Ahly in the Champions League final on July 17. That huge match — rescheduled due to Covid-19 — delayed all preparations for the new season.
However, new signings and the return of Baxter for a second stint at the club have lifted fans’ expectations following a dismal six seasons without a trophy.
Baxter pointed out he has hardly had time with the squad since arriving just before the Caf final against Al Ahly, so it will be a case of hitting the ground running at the start of the season 10 days away.
“Maybe it’ll be a work in progress for the first few games in the season. But if we get off to a decent start and we’re there or thereabouts‚ I think as we improve we could be a bit unpleasant to deal with a bit further down the line,” Baxter said.
Chiefs begin their season with an MTN8 quarterfinal showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on August 15.
The match against all-powerful Downs‚ who cruised to a record fourth consecutive Premiership title in 2020/2021‚ and newly rebuilt Chiefs will be seen as an early litmus test of the ability of the Amakhosi to make an impact in the new campaign.