Kaizer Chiefs the only team that can derail Sundowns, suggests Baxter

Baxter was asked if he shared the same sentiments as Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi that the league trophy is already in the Sundowns cabinet following his side’s 0-0 draw against Cape Town City.

The 68-year-old mentor said he holds a different view, and that’s simply because Chiefs have the potential to reduce the 19-point lead currently held by the Brazilians over them.

Chiefs have played 18 games while Sundowns have already played 22 games – and mathematically, Baxter’s men can reduce that gap to just four points.

However, that’s IF Chiefs win their four games in hand (provided they win the case to play Cape Town City and Golden Arrows) and go on to beat Sundowns in the return leg of the league.

“I don’t like to comment on what the Pirates coach says, because he is looking at things from a Pirates perspective. I’m not in their camp, I don’t want to validate or not validate what he says,” Baxter told reporters on Thursday.

“We are in a position where, when I checked the log table, we are four games [off Sundowns], which is 12 points potentially… plus we still have to play Sundowns in one of the games.

“That could be a 15-point swing and I think those 15 points means we are not completely out of the picture,” said Baxter.

“But I don’t think a sane person would be betting on anybody catching Sundowns.

“We may have that theoretical chance, but it’s only a theoretical chance because I’m a Kaizer Chiefs coach and I believe in my players, I believe in this football club,” added Baxter.

Nonetheless, Baxter said rational and sane people wouldn’t bet on Chiefs beating Sundowns to the league title this season, before admitting that the PSL trophy is for the Brazilians to lose given their advantage.

“So, rational, sane people will not agree with me, but that is what we have to do as professionals – to find the reason for winning every game. Our supporters want to support a successful team, not a team that throws in the towel. We won’t do that,” he continued.

“It’s theirs to lose. It would be a huge upset if they were to lose it but we are going to keep going. That’s the only way to go,” concluded Baxter.