SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter has undergone surgery and was subsequently discharged from hospital after being admitted for emergency medical treatment on Monday. As per the announcement by his club earlier this week, Baxter missed the victory over Bidvest Wits on Tuesday night and will again be absent for this Saturday's fixture against Kaizer Chiefs at the Mbombela Stadium. Baxter’s assistant Kaitano Tembo, who is currently in charge as caretaker coach, has since confirmed progress in the Brit's recovery. “All I know is that yesterday [Monday] he had surgery and it was a success, and he is now recovering at home. That is all I can say for now,” confirmed Tembo on Tuesday night at the Bidvest Stadium.   

Baxter was advised by the team’s medical department to seek specialist advice after battling with some health issues over the last few days which led to him suffering significant discomfort during the Nedbank Cup victory over Kaizer Chiefs last Saturday. Though he oversaw the victory over Wits on Tuesday, Tembo still gave credit to his superior and dedicated the result to him. “Our coach is a very professional man and I think nothing had to change because we do the same things on a daily basis," he added.

"I know what he does and we know, plus we communicate, so it is nothing new. I don’t think his absence really affected the team because he trusts us and he knows what we are supposed to be doing, we plan with him as well so for me it is still the same thing. "Like I said before, he is with us. Even today we were communicating, we talk, so this win is not for me but [for] the coach, because he did everything today. He might not be here but he is always with us."