Kaizer Chiefs: Half-season done, check Baxter’s most-used players

Sections of Kaizer Chiefs fans wanted Stuart Baxter sacked after only one victory in his first eight games. But things change very fast in football, thanks to the Englishman’s five wins in the past seven games. Isn’t that good?

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KAIZER CHIEFS: STUART BAXTER BENCHED YOUNGSTERS AND NJABULO NGCOBO

As often is the case for any struggling coach, poor results encourage fans to question your team selection decisions. Baxter was hammered for omitting the club’s beloved youngsters such as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, as well as Bafana Bafana’s hugely popular defender Njabulo Ngcobo and of course the club’s living legend Itumeleng Khune.

A storm of criticism befell Baxter but he firmly stuck to his guns.

In Baxter’s 16 games so far, 12 players featured in 10 games or more.

HERE ARE BAXTER’S MOST USED PLAYERS JULY

Here is a quick look at the players that helped the 68-year-old coach’s resurgence to be the Baxter Chiefs fans adore.

Keagan Dolly – Forward – 16 matches

Khama Billiat – Forward – 15
Eric Mathoho – Central defender – 15
Njabulo Blom – Defender-cum-midfielder – 15
Phathutshedzo Nange – Central Midfielder – 15
Bernard Parker – Forward – 15
Daniel Cardoso – Central defender – 15
Daniel Akpeyi – Goalkeeper – 12
Cole Alexandra – Central midfielder – 12
Kgaogelo Sekgota – Winger – 11
Njabulo Ngcobo – Defender/Midfielder – 10
Anthony Akumu Midfielder/Defender – 10

Are there players who received more game time than they deserved? Are there one or two players who were benched undeservedly? We shall see after the AFCON 2021 break how the rest of the season will go.

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Kaizer Chiefs will be back in action when Baxter’s boys visit the ever-bold Cape Town City on 15 February.

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