Gavin Hunt turns Kaizer Chiefs’ attention to domestic scene

Kaizer Chiefs recorded a vital win against Angolan side Petro de Luanda on Saturday at the FNB Stadium.

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES NEWS | SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL SET FOR OCTOBER

The win saw Kaizer Chiefs remain in contention to progress to the quarter-finals of the 2020/21 CAF Champions League.

Coach Gavin Hunt who had to make a number of changes to his squad as a result of injuries and suspensions was pleased by the collective effort of his charges.

Hunt is now hoping that his team gains momentum going forward for the remainder of their league matches as well as the CAF Champions League, with fixtures piling up.

READ | SAFA SENDS CONDOLENCES TO ITUMELENG KHUNE AND FAMILY AFTER SISTER’S DEATH

Reflecting on the win a pleased Hunt explained, “I thought we played well. I thought we played the same way we did against Horoya when we drew 0-0. It looked like another night when we were not going to score with so many opportunities. But we got three points and that was the main thing for us”.

Heading into the game, Kaizer Chiefs were missing a number of players and made seven changes from the team that played Wydad in the previous match.

Gavin Hunt was happy with the way his players managed to adapt to the team tactics in Saturday’s game.

READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS GRAB LATE WINNER IN CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH IN DRC

“We never had a lot of players,” he emphasised.

“We had to play a few players out of position, and they did okay. I thought the whole team was very good. There were one or two that were very good, but generally, I thought the team collectively was very good”

The objective for the Kaizer Chiefs mentor now in the CAF Champions League is to continue pushing on and reach a certain target which could help with their aim of progressing further.

“I think you need 10 or 12 points to get through,” Gavin Hunt estimated.

“We got four and we still got three games left. It’s not going to be easy, we got Wydad coming here. They are not easy as they are very experienced in the competition. We have to go to Horoya in Guinea, and we’ve got to play in Luanda away, so it won’t be easy for us but we will do our best.”

READ | ITUMELENG KHUNE LATEST | STAR GOALKEEPER TO LEAVE KAIZER CHIEFS FOR QATAR?

Hunt, who registered his 380th career win as a top-flight coach, says he is happy to shift his attention away from continental matters to the domestic scene.

Kaizer Chiefs return to domestic football with a league clash away on Wednesday, 10 March against Maritzburg United.

He believes that his side will need to be at their best to defeat Maritzburg United and begin to climb the table.

“We are obviously falling behind in the league,” Hunt said.

“Teams underneath us are winning, so we have a big game against Maritzburg, and we need points to get ourselves in a better position. It’s not going to be easy going down there that’s for sure.”

Kick-off at the Harry Gwala Stadium is at 18:00.

Kaizer Chiefs are currently 10th in the DStv Premiership standings with 19 points after 17 matches.

Maritzburg United, who are coached by former Kaizer Chiefs mentor Ernst Middendorp, are in 15th place with 13 points after 17 matches.