Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has cited defender Tefu Mashamaite as a ‘steadying influence’ in the team and praises his consistency as a player.

Mashamaite was a permanent fixture at centre back for the Amakhosi during the 2013/14 season, playing in 30 Absa Premiership games and 14 Cup games.

Baxter was quick to give Mashamaite credit for his leadership abilities and his calming influence on the rest of the team in a season which saw them concede the least goals in the league.

“He (Mashamaite) is a quiet leader and leads by example,” said Baxter.

“He has been a steadying influence in the way he has played. Masha is a more intelligent defender than people gave him credit for

“His confidence has grown and this year I think he has been very, very consistent, and we shouldn’t let it go unnoticed that whilst we have been rotating the centre backs with Morgan (Gould) and ‘Tower’ (Erick Mathoho), we don’t have one other left-footed centre back, so Masha has taken the brunt of the load, and even given that, despite the fatigue and demands on him, he has been consistent.”