Chiefs fans will need a big serving of patience as Baxter era stutters

Patience. That is what Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has called for amid a stuttering start to their DStv Premiership campaign. 

In six games, Chiefs have won just once. This is definitely not what the supporters were hoping for when Baxter returned to Naturena to replace Gavin Hunt. 

The team, however have shown glimpses of becoming a formidable and dangerous side once they get gelling and get some momentum. The supporters’ patience is wearing thin and calls for Baxter’s head have been making rounds lately.

ALSO READ: Baxter doesn’t want lucky wins, wants Chiefs to earn them

Baxter said his team were still making some elementary errors which proved costly but called for the supporters to not pay much mind to the log standings. 

“It is very early to be looking at the table. We will play the teams at the top again, so if we can take points from them we will close that gap,” Baxter said.

“I think it is important for us, the supporters, staff, and players to put together a team that has an identity in the way of playing. If we can get a 10% improvement on where we are now, I tell you we will be difficult to beat.”

Chiefs were lucky to get a draw away at AmaZulu at the weekend with a dubious last-minute penalty saving them the blushes. 

Usuthu were leading 1-0 when referee Jelly Chavani gave a penalty when it clearly was not warranted and Keagan Dolly converted from the spot-kick. 

With the two-week Fifa break, Baxter will have more time to work on what he feels his team lacks. But from afar, it looks like the new system he is trying to institute is not working out for him. 

It looked good and promising in some parts of the game against AmaZulu with Njabulo Ngcobo marshaling the midfield well and allowing Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange to be more adventurous and make attacking runs. 

But it does not look like the system will be firing on all cylinders anytime soon and patience will really be a virtue for the Amakhosi faithful.