DO STUART BAXTER’S PROS OUTWEIGH HIS CONS?

As the clock ticked down to the 90th minute in the second quarter-final, South Africa and Nigeria were deadlocked at one-all. It seemed as though both teams were waiting for extra time. So I did what any self-respecting man would do in that situation, go to the fridge and get another beer.

When I got back, Nigeria had been awarded a corner. Winger Moses Simon played a ball into the area, South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Williams came out and punched fresh air, sort of like Conor McGregor in his fight against Floyd Mayweather, the ball was bundled into the net when it connected with the shins of onrushing Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were headed to the semi-finals. Bafana Bafana are out of the AFCON, SAFA have decisions to make. Do they keep Stuart Baxter or do they let him go? Let’s make the job easier for them by weighing up his inadequacies to his positive qualities.

Baxter’s game planning:

Stuart Baxter can game plan for a team to a tee. He can study the film and figure out the opposing team’s weaknesses. He can probably tell you what a certain player’s favourite cereal in the morning is: Coco Pops or Rice Krispies.

Baxter’s defensive discipline:

Between 2012-2015 Stuart Baxter was the coach of Kaizer Chiefs.  Stuart Baxter became the first coach to win the PSL is his first season. After finishing 2nd in his second season he went on to win another championship in his third.

He concluded his tenure at Kaizer Chiefs with four trophies that included: two league titles, an MTN 8, and the Nedbank Cup. His Kaizer Chiefs team was known for unwavering defesnive discipline. Thanks to him, Bafana Bafana are now a very tough team to score against. Four out of five goals Bafana conceded in the AFCON were due to braindead individual errors.

Baxter has no plan B:

As good as he is at constructing a solid game plan for his opponents when things don’t go his way,unfortunately he can’t switch things it up.

Baxter’s negativity:

Being good defensively is great when you a winning a game but it doesn’t do you much good if you are behind and need a win.

A message for Baxter:

Dear Stuart,

The aim of soccer is to score more goals than your opponent.

P.S.

This tournament showed how technically gifted our players are.  They hung in there with the best in Africa from Mo Salah to Wilfred Ndidi.  Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo, and Dean Furman not only work hard but they also have the on-ball ability.

South Africa has ballplayers. In situations where South Africa found themselves a goal down in the AFCON Baxter didn’t make any positive substitutions. He would never replace a defensive player with an attacking one. Baxter seems to always play the game not to lose rather than to win. Stuart Baxter’s Bafana Bafana attacked with only three players. You are not going to score against international level defenders with only three players. Heck, you might score against my Sunday Christ Church team with only three players.

Love, Thabang

Four days prior to the quarter-final loss, South Africa pulled off one of their best performances when they upset favourites and tournament host Egypt. As excited as the country was on Saturday, the very next day #BaxterOut was trending on Twitter.

He has never been a fan favourite even after his success with Kaizer Chiefs (whose supporters make-up at least 75% of soccer-loving South Africans). Players make mistakes all the time but, Williams goalkeeping mistake came at the worst possible time. We lost the game but we were in it for 90 minutes.

If he can have more faith in his players he might have a special team. He did help us qualify for the tournament and his tactics knocked out one the favourites. I’d take a punt on him for at least another couple of years. See if he can get us to Qatar 2022.

? As the dust settles on South Africa’s quarter final exit from the #AFCON2019. ? @grantdesmidt breaks down the key areas where Stuart Baxter’s side excelled and struggled. Read Now: https://t.co/See3eaovlS — BET.co.za (@betcoza) July 12, 2019