Wits target SuperSport scalp

Gavin Hunt, Coach of Bidvest Wits reacts, issues instructions to his players during the Friendly Football Match between Vasco da Gama and Bidvest Wits at Parow Park, Parow, 16 July 2015 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Gavin Hunt, Coach of Bidvest Wits reacts, issues instructions to his players during the Friendly Football Match between Vasco da Gama and Bidvest Wits at Parow Park, Parow, 16 July 2015 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Published Aug 4, 2015

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Gavin Hunt and his Bidvest Wits team will be looking to start their 2015/2016 campaign on a good note, as he faces the task of knocking out his former employers SuperSport United in the MTN8 Cup quarter-final at the Bidvest Stadium tonight.

The two sides finished last year’s season in third and sixth position respectively. And whenever they meet, the games are of a high standard, with both teams having a good knowledge of each other.

Hunt knows United very well, having coached the Pretoria side for six years, winning four trophies at the club. His most noticeable achievement at United was winning the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title for three years in a row between 2007/8 and 2009/2010. But Hunt is yet to shine at Wits and with that said, must be itching for silverware this season – particularly after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the very same competition by Orlando Pirates last season, when the Buccaneers beat them 5-1 on aggregate over the two leg tie.

This time around, it won’t be surprising if Wits see themselves going all the way to the final.

Hunt has bolstered the team with a couple of new signings. Defender Nazeer Allie joins from Ajax Cape Town, Ellias Pelembe from Mamelodi Sundowns and Daine Klate from SuperSport, with most of his last season squad staying put at the team.

And with speculation surrounding his star player Sibusiso Vilakazi leaving the team, Hunt must at least be pleased that the forward is still at the club going into this clash.

SuperSport, on the other hand, must be looking for revenge after the Johannesburg outfit completed a league double over them last season. Matsatsantsa A Pitori, however, sent Wits packing in the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout challenge, and went on to lift the trophy after beating Platinum Stars 3-2 in the final.

Gordon Igesund’s side too have added a couple of recruits to the team as they look to challenge for more silverware this season.

United have acquired the services of Bongani Khumalo, Clayton Daniels and last season National First Division (NFD) top scorer Phumelele Bhengu, looking to add more fire upfront, having already signed New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie half-way through last season.

Brockie, who scored eight league goals for Matsatsan-tsa last season, has looked very dangerous inside the box. And he should be the man Wits defenders should really keep a close eye on in order to deny the visitors a win.

The last time Igesund won the Top-8 was in 2007 with Sundowns, whereas Hunt has never won it. - The Star

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