As the Nedbank Cup “Last 32” fever takes over the country, Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has delivered a surprisingly candid and respectful assessment of his upcoming opponents, Kaizer Chiefs.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s blockbuster clash at the DHL Stadium, Hunt—who famously coached the Amakhosi to a CAF Champions League semi-final—admitted that the current version of the Glamour Boys is perhaps the most dangerous he has seen in years.
The League Table Doesn’t Lie Philosophy
While many coaches use pre-match press conferences for mind games, Hunt took a different route, praising the work of Chiefs’ coaching duo, Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
Key takeaways from Hunt’s analysis:
- League Title Contenders: Hunt made a bold claim, stating that Kaizer Chiefs are “much more settled” and currently possess the quality to win the Betway Premiership title this season.
- Confidence is King: He noted that Chiefs are playing with a “free-flowing” style that only comes from a string of victories, warning his players that they will be facing a team brimming with self-belief.
- Stellies’ Survival Instinct: Hunt, who recently took over from Steve Barker, admitted he is still shaping the Stellenbosch squad but remains confident. His message to his team was simple: Play with your own identity, not with the fear of what Chiefs can bring.
A Battle of Giants
This isn’t just a cup game; it’s a clash of two of the most in-form teams in the country.
- Chiefs’ Streak: Amakhosi sit 3rd in the league and are fresh off a historic scalp of Zesco United in the CAF Confederation Cup.
- The Hunt Factor: Gavin Hunt is a specialist in cup competitions, and his “underdog” Stellenbosch side has already proven they can take down giants in Cape Town.
