Gavin Hunt, coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2020 MTN8 QuarterFinal match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 18 October 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs still striving for Top 8 ahead of Sundowns clash
There are rumblings of discontent at Kaizer Chiefs as Gavin Hunt becomes increasingly frustrated with his team’s on-field efforts.
Gavin Hunt, coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2020 MTN8 QuarterFinal match between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 18 October 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs have left themselves with plenty to do to secure the top eight finish they desire this season but coach Gavin Hunt believes it is achievable.
Cape Town City handed Kaizer Chiefs a 2-1 defeat in midweek in what was effectively a six-pointer with the Citizens being one of the teams Amakhosi are chasing.
Is Gavin Hunt really in charge at Kaizer Chiefs?
Kaizer Chiefs head into their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns in 11th place and could find themselves in 12th by the time the contest at Loftus kicks off.
Hunt’s team have returned a paltry five wins from 22 league matches and while the Caf Champions League run has boosted morale, it will be some task to finish in the top eight this season.
Speaking after the loss to Cape Town City a cagey Hunt said: “Now it is going to be tough, but it is going to be tight [as] everybody plays everybody.
“The loss is the most disappointing thing, in the first half, I thought we were off, but we still had one or two good chances. Bernard Parker missed in the first half there.
“Then we got ourselves two goals down, which we came back well. We had a lot of fights and were very unfortunate not to get a draw.”
Hunt has suggested that he doesn’t have the kind of control over the Kaizer Chiefs first XI that he would like, given the structure of the club’s leadership. The coach is desperate for his team to settle into matches faster than they have been in recent times.
“The bottom line is that it is not what I think. It is what the club thinks. I know what is needed and what is not needed, but right now, it doesn’t matter what I think,” Hunt said.
“Hugely frustrated [about the start], I know what needed to be done. But we were still asleep in the beginning, and I have to get that right. We need to be better from the start of the games, that’s for sure.”
Weekend PSL Fixtures
Friday
Maritzburg v Baroka, Harry Gwala Stadium (5pm)
Saturday
Leopards v SuperSport, Thohoyandou Stadium (3pm); Stellenbosch v Celtic, Danie Craven Stadium (3pm); AmaZulu v Galaxy, Kings Park Stadium (5pm); Cape Town City v Tshakhuma, Cape Town Stadium (5pm); Swallows v Pirates, Dobsonville Stadium (5pm)
Sunday
Sundowns v Chiefs, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (3pm); Chippa v Arrows, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm)
