Twala hoping to silence Baxter
Stuart Baxter comes up against his former team, Kaizer Chiefs, for the first time with SuperSport United.
|||IN WHAT will be an emotionally-charged affair when Stuart Baxter comes up against his former team, Kaizer Chiefs, for the first time with SuperSport United at Cape Town Stadium tonight, William Twala could be key for Amakhosi.
The midfielder doesn’t have any of the emotional baggage his teammates have, coming up against a coach they have fond memories of - especially as he guided the club in their record-breaking season which they capped off by lifting the Absa Premiership in style.
Twala joined the club last month but has looked like he has been part of the set-up for a long time.
He has been a regular, starting the last six matches in the Premiership, of which the last three were back-to-back wins.
“My performance is not at its best as yet as I have just arrived,” Twala said.
“These are only the highlights. I believe it can get better. I knew about this move in my fantasy life as I believed and dreamed that one day I will be here.
“It’s a dream come true, every day coming to train and being at the village. It’s a blessing. I didn’t think I would play regularly so quickly, but it’s thanks to the support my teammates have given me.”
Amakhosi are the second Soweto giants Twala has represented. He started at Orlando Pirates before joining Chiefs but took a detour to Chippa United in between.
His stint with the Buccaneers wasn’t that memorable even though he showed glimpses of his talent.
“Maybe that was a stepping stone,” Twala said.
“I grew up supporting Orlando Pirates but loved Chiefs. Seeing that Chiefs have been winning things regularly, with due respect to Pirates, they offer different challenges.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the team’s success.”
Twala arrived at what was a difficult time for Chiefs after they lost in two cup finals - the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout - while the club were struggling to put together back-to-back wins.
But after January, things changed, with four wins on the trot including their CAF Champions League triumph over Volcan de Moroni.
The fact the club celebrate winning a couple of games in a row shows how far back they have fallen, when you consider that last season they went 19 games unbeaten.
Baxter was at the helm when that happened. His achievements have overshadowed Steve Komphela from day one.
But he can move away from that if he gets the better of Baxter, and guide Chiefs to the group stage of the Champions League, which Baxter couldn’t do.
Komphela also has emotional baggage, coming up against a man he assisted at Bafana Bafana.
“Seeing that I am part of the team, surely the emotions and the tension of it will rub off even though I never worked with the coach (Baxter),” Twala said.
“I am looking forward to contributing and helping the team do well against SuperSport, with due respect to the coach (Baxter), off course.” – Saturday Star