STUART BAXTER AND CRITICS NEED TO MEET HALFWAY
Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter ought to begin preparing an early Christmas card for Mali counterpart Mohamed Magassouba. Had the Eagles not beaten Angola 1-0, guaranteeing South Africa’s place in the last 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, it is difficult to see how the former Kaizer Chiefs coach could have kept his job.
Baxter has a strained relationship with the South African public and did little to endear himself by referring to them as “56 million waiting to chop our heads off”. Little surprise, then, that there are many who feel the national team would be better off without him.
As Bafana prepare to face Egypt in a last 16 encounter for which they are going to need all the help they can get, the question still lingers: how did Baxter’s relationship with the national team’s supporters turn sour and is divorce the only answer? As with all marital problems, a little bit of introspection makes it clear that the solution is not as straightforward as we would like to believe.
BET:
This question is asked far too infrequently, not just of Baxter but of every coach that presides over our beloved national team. Often, the South African public only sees the benefits of each one in hindsight.
When Baxter does vacate his job for whatever reason, there is a high chance we are going to miss the solidity he has given us. Bafana Bafana conceded just four goals in nine matches throughout AFCON qualifying and the group stage combined.
If you think this is a coincidence, just look at Baxter’s record at Kaizer Chiefs — Amakhosi had the best defensive record in the Absa Premiership in each of his three seasons in charge, improving year on year and conceding 14 goals en route to the title in his final campaign.
?? “Percy Tau’s outings as a false nine for Sundowns and then as a second striker for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise showed that he has to be used centrally to be at his best.”
? previews Bafana Bafana’s tactics at
— BET.machibet777-app.com (@betcoza)
It is often said that each team is a reflection of its head coach. Baxter’s team selection shows us that he is a stubborn leader. Whether we love or hate him, we have to recognise that this trait reflects in the way his sides defend for their lives.
Next time we praise the way his players shut up shop, we ought to spare a thought for the Englishman. He deserves not only criticism for his shortcomings, but also praise for what he gets right.
Baxter’s frustration with the South African public probably, perhaps understandably, stems from a sense that his achievements here have been too easily forgotten. The harsh truth, however, is that the very stubbornness which has brought him so much success will be his downfall if he refuses to concede an inch.
His attitude when defending the decision to train at the luxurious Steyn City rather than a more accessible venue last year summed up everything that has gone wrong during his tenure. As quoted by TimesLIVE, Baxter said: “About taking the game to the people‚ I haven’t really got a clue what that is.”
He clearly hasn’t a clue what taking suggestions from “the people” is either judging by his persistent refusal to play Absa Premiership Player of the Season Thembinkosi Lorch. It’s not just every Tom, Dick and Solms who wants to see him budge on this issue, but also former Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar.
? Bafana Bafana are one of 16 teams still remaining at the Africa Cup of Nations, but the tournament is not about to get any easier for them. ? looks at each AFCON 2019 last 16 match. Read Now: — BET.machibet777-app.com (@betcoza)