Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was full of praise for the way in which Mamelodi Sundowns played despite going down 1-0 to the Amakhosi in an Absa Premiership match on Thursday night.

Baxter felt that the Brazilians played the best football he has seen from any side thus far during his time in South Africa, but has commended his own players for the commitment they showed on a tough night.

“I thought Sundowns played very well,” said Baxter.

“I thought their possession of the ball was probably as good as I have seen in South Africa. So, when we go a goal in front I think, unconsciously, the lads started to play on transitions too much, and towards the end Sundowns had moved all their players up and we have had to go to three centre backs.

“It was a brave performance by the players to dig in and come away with three points.”

The game itself was an extremely heated affair with both teams receiving numerous yellow cards, but Baxter felt that it was normal for a game of this magnitude.

“Both teams were committed. There were bad tackles form my players and there were bad tackles from the Sundowns players, but in a game of this magnitude I think you are going to get that,” added Baxter.

“We certainly showed a winning mentality tonight and I think I could complain about some aspects of our game and our decision making at times, but what I cannot fault is the commitment of the players.”