Hunt jabs at Sundowns budget after derby defeat

In the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Tshwane derby, SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt takes a jab at Downs’ budget.

Hunt says they played well but were unfortunate to lose to Sundowns in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday night.

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SuperSport hosted Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium but succumbed to a 2-0 defeat as their cross-town rivals scored through Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro.

In his post-match address, Hunt lamented the fact that they have sold some of their key players to Sundowns who have a hefty budget.

HUNT JABS AT SUNDOWNS BUDGET AFTER DERBY DEFEAT

The four-time PSL winner, Hunt was visibly upset after the unfavourable result against Sundowns and jabs at Masandawana’s budget.

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“We lost, we had more than enough chances to win. I thought we were good but we lost,” Hunt said per Phakaaathi.

“Obviously the club has lost players over the years. They’ve gone across to these guys (Sundowns) so it is what it is and we need to build teams.

“We’re doing well with what we’ve got and we have to soldier on. We can’t be judged on these types of games.

“We have players earning single digits out there tonight. I had nine U/18’s on the bench.

“Last year we came third for the first time since I left the club and we finished in the top four with what we had and then we lost players.

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“They (Sundowns) bought a player (Thapelo Maseko) from us who was brilliant for us so we start again. We lost Patrick (Maswanganyi) to Pirates and we lost TT (Thatayaone Ditlhokwe) to Chiefs.”

SUPERSPORT COACH BLAMES SUNDOWNS BUYING POWER AFTER DEFEAT

In addition, based on the two club’s agreement, SuperSport were forced not to use Sundowns players Ricardo Goss and Etiosa Ighodaro who are both on loan from the Brazilians.

“Sundowns buy players, what do you want me to do? We have a budget and that has been cut down so the whole club is running much tighter now,” Hunt adds.

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“We sold the boy (Maseko) for a lot of money which is fantastic but it doesn’t help the team. It helps financially to get one or two (players) in.

“We couldn’t use Goss and Ighodaro tonight, would they have helped? Yes, sure.

“The club is different from when I was here the first time when we won the league where there was more equal football.

“Obviously, Sundowns bought all those players as well, Denis Onyango and Elias Pelembe all went and we had to build another team. We lose a game and you guys judge us but they should beat us 8-0.

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“I mean let’s be honest, look at the squads and the two teams, there shouldn’t be a comparison but they are on a different level and the PSL is what it is at the moment.

“The foreigners, they (Sundowns) have been bringing in now I’m sure they are worth more than our whole franchise so it’s a different level and I’m taking guys from Motsepe League.”

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