The African Champions League final between Kaizer Chiefs and Al Ahly didn’t end in favor of the South African giants as they failed to take the trophy home.
The match ended 3-0 in favor of Al Ahly with all goals coming in the second stanza, after Happy Mashiane’s sending off just before the first half.
The gallant Glamour Boys were unable to compete on an equal footing a man short, and struggled to prevent Al Ahly from winning their 10th CAF Champions League title.
The match was really heartbreaking to the Kaizer Chiefs supporters as they thought they could lift their first African Champions League title.
However, the Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter has reacted to the defeat from Al Ahly in one-off game played at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco on Saturday night.
“If we had gone into half-time with a complete team then we could have tweaked a few things, but as it was with Happy’s red card, you’re going in and scrambling then, to decide [what to do],”said Baxter after the match.
“It’s a cup final, you can’t go in and play 4-4-1 and only defend, so we went with a 4-3-2 and brought in Khama, which was a gamble really, because he’s not played for so long.
“But even having said that, I think the goals that we gave away were poor goals. If we defend properly and normally then we can extend that time when they don’t score and increase the frustration, and maybe then we get a set-play or counter-attack.
“But as it was, we gave away that first goal and then I’ve got to try and devise a way of getting people onto the field that can bring us back into the game, so you’re trying to hit the gas to the bottom and then you really need to put the hand-break on.
“The lads did unbelievably well to get to where we are now to this final, so I think once the obvious disappointment of the defeat has settled, I think they will get the credit they deserve.”
