Kaizer Chiefs started the new season slowly with a 0-0 draw against TS Galaxy. The clean sheet may be a positive for the Stuart Baxter tutored side, but the loss of two points has given Mamelodi Sundowns a head start.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has opined why he decided to leave Itumeleng Khune from the Amakhosi’s opening game.
Many Chiefs fans were surprised at the decision that saw Bruce Bvuma starting in goal ahead of Khune, while Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was on the bench. The decision was all the more shocking, considering how Baxter backed Khune in the last couple of weeks.
The Amakhosi lost their MTN8 tie to Mamelodi Sundowns. The game ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, with the Amakhosi losing on penalties. Khune’s exclusion from the squad on game day has been attributed to his performance in that game, a report that Baxter has vehemently refuted.
Baxter claims his decision has nothing to do with the game but rather with the opponents.
“(There is) nothing wrong with him, nothing he did against Sundowns. We just thought that this would be a longer game from their side. As it turns out, it was. So, it was going to be a more mobile, out of your penalty area sort of goalkeeper’s role. We thought Bruce was the best one of our four who was more suited to that,” Baxter told the media after the clash.
“I spoke we Itu before we left, and I said, ‘I am not going to put you on the bench, you stay here and train hard, and it’s up for grabs again on Wednesday (against Baroka FC).”
Kaizer Chiefs next game will be at the FNB stadium when they play hosts to Baroka FC. Baroka started their campaign on Saturday, beating Limpopo rivals Marumo Gallants 2-0.