Kaizer Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter is refusing to throw the towel in of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership title despite trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by 19 points.
On Thursday evening after Orlando Pirates dropped points in the 0-0 draw against Cape Town City, coach Mandla Ncikazi stated the trophy is already in the cabinet at Chloorkop.
While Baxter admits Amakhosi face a near-impossible task, he emphasised there’s potential opening and they won’t give up due to the belief he has in his squad and for the loyal supporters of the Soweto giants.
“I don’t want to comment on what the Pirates coach says because he’s looking at things from Pirates perspective and I’m not in that camp so I don’t want to validate or not validate says,” Baxter said ahead of the Soweto Derby.
“In the Chiefs camp, it’s been a difficult season in many ways, in terms of trying to restructure the squad and bring about some changes there. It’s been Covid and a mini pandemic within our club.
“I think we’ve had more than our share of hardships due to that. We had an ongoing saga about the games to played or not played. So we’re in a position, we’re three games, which is nine points, plus we have to play Sundowns again.”
With question marks surrounding the Cape Town City and Golden Arrows fixtures, Chiefs failed to honour due to their highly-publicised Covid-19 outbreak at Naturena Village, there’s uncertainty about how much the gap can be bridged which Baxter remains cognizant about.
“That could be a 12 point swing, so it’s not completely out the picture, but if you’re a betting man I don’ think the sane person would be betting on anyone catching Sundowns. I think we have a theoretical chance,” he continued.
“But that’s only theoretical because I believe in my players and this football club. Rational and sane people won’t agree with me but that is what we have to do as professionals – find a reason for winning every game.
“If there’s no other reason then we have to do it for our supporters who want to go support a successful team and not one who throws the towel in. We’ll keep going and try and breathe down Sundowns neck as best as possible. But it’s there’s to lose, isn’t it?
“It would be a massive upset if they were to lose it but we’re going to keep going and that’s the only way to go.”
Chiefs could go back into second place with a win over Pirates when they meet at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15h30).
