Baxter’s talks with SAFA not a distraction - Brockie
Supersport United and New Zealand striker Jeremy Brockie says the team hasn’t been disrupted by coach Stuart Baxter’s talks with SAFA for the vacant Bafana Bafana coaching position.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori cruised past Kwadukuza FC in their Nedbank Cup last 16 tie on Tuesday night. Their 2-nil victory takes them one step closer to defending their title this season.
Brockie popped by East Coast Radio before their clash to talk all things football as he settles into his third season in the PSL.
The New Zealander has been with Supersport United since 2015 and has been a revelation on attack for the Pretoria outfit. He is the top scorer across all competitions this season and is definitely one of the standouts.
Things are looking good for the Pretoria outfit this season. They are five points shy of the top of the ABSA Premiership and currently sit in fourth place while they hunt down the Nedbank Cup double.
While things are good on the field, the team could be unsettled if SAFA and coach Stuart Baxter agree to a coaching deal for Bafana Bafana. The national team’s governing body confirmed they were in talks with the Supersport United boss last week.
As a pivotal player in the team, Brockie is probably the best person to comment on the effect those negotiations are having on the team environment. According to the New Zealander, they’re not paying too much attention to their coach's situation.
“We’re just getting on with business as usual, I think we have to. Obviously Stuart has done wonders for the club since he’s been involved, he’s brought some good players to the squad, we’ve won some trophies and we’ve been on a long unbeaten run in the PSL as well,” Brockie said.
A number of names have been thrown around for the Bafana coaching job but it looks quite likely that Baxter will get the job. Brockie believes his coach is the right man to take the job.
“He’s a very good coach, very good man-manager and if he does go that way it will be sad to lose him from a club perspective and a personal point of view as well. If that’s right for him it will be great for the country. He knows South African football, the cultures and the players.”
“He knows South African football, he’s been around it for a long time. He’s proven himself on a domestic level. He’s had one shot at the national team and that was a while ago now so things have obviously changed since then. He’s a great football manager.”
Supersport United fans will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if Baxter takes the Bafana job, he won’t abandon ship before they see out the season – that’s if Brockie is to be believed.
“We’ve been assured that if he does take the job, he’ll be with us until the end of the season. That how us players are looking at it and let’s hope that stays,” he said.