Baxter to reach milestone in Soweto Derby

Stuart Baxter will reach a century of DStv Premiership matches in the dugout for Kaizer Chiefs when his side host Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in their derby clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Baxter is in his second spell at the club having completed three successful seasons between 2012 and 2015, which included two Premiership titles, and will hope to celebrate his milestone with a win.

His current tally of 99 games is equal with Ernst Middendorp in second place on the all-time list since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in the 1996-97 season, and his win record is right up there with the best.

The coach with the greatest number of games leading Chiefs is Muhsin Ertugral, who was in charge for 156 matches in two spells in charge of the club. While he enjoyed great cup success, he never lifted the league title with the AmaKhosi.

Ertugral’s win ratio in the league was fairly low at 41.7 per cent having claimed victory in just 65 out of the 156 matches, but his tenure was extended by continual knockout trophy wins.

Middendorp’s win ratio is only slightly higher at 43,4 per cent as he won 43 of his 99 games in charge.

Baxter easily beats both of these with 58 wins in 99 games to date, which is a win ratio of 58.6 per cent, placing him second on the list of Chiefs coaches who have taken charge of 50 or more games in the league since 1996/97.

He is narrowly behind, for now, Paul Dolezar (40 wins in 68 games – 58.8 per cent) and just in front of Ted Dumitru (35 wins in 60 games – 58.3 per cent).

Victory over Pirates on Saturday would take him top of the list on 59 per cent, and if you take out the sticky start to this season, he managed a win ratio of 61.1 per cent in his first spell with the club.