We don’t feel pressure to emulate Sundowns – Baxter
SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter says his side are not under any pressure to perform on the continent after their crosstown rivals Mamelodi Sundowns won the Caf Champions League last year.
Pitso Mosimane and Stuart Baxter during the Absa Premiership press conference. (Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images)
Matsatsantsa A Pitori kick off their Caf Confederation Cup Group D action on Friday evening against Guinea side Horoya AC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“I don’t think that because one team is successful then that brings pressure. I don’t think that ‘pressure’ is the right word,” said the Bafana-bound coach, as he is set to begin his second spell at the helm of the senior national side at the end of the season.
Baxter, however, admits that a certain level of consistency from South African teams in continental competitions has to be maintained following Orlando Pirates’ 1995 triumph, and Masandawana’s successful campaign in last season’s Champions League.
“But you do feel an obligation because once the bar has been raised to a certain level, you feel it is an obligation that you do your level best to continue the trend. But to feel it is as pressure, I think that’s probably the wrong word.
“We feel it as a driving force that we want to keep the colours of the nation flying high. We don’t want to take our jobs for granted. It is assorted pressure … but not negative pressure. And I think that every team going into Caf competitions should feel that. Not only because Sundowns did very well, but because Orlando Pirates also did very well,” he said.
“We want to continue that trend if we can. Is that easy? No it is not,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs coach.
