JOHANNESBURG – Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has shot down media reports which say former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is ready to take over the plum coaching job at the struggling league defending champions.
“Absolute rubbish,” was Hunt’s response when asked whether he had any knowledge that, based on media reports, his bosses were in touch with Igesund, who has been in charge of Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos, Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Highlands Park previously.
This followed Wits’ 1-0 reverse to Bloemfontein Celtic, their fourth loss in seven league outings this season, in the Free State capital on Sunday.
For the four-time league winning coach Hunt, it is business as usual with his charges.
“We are missing goalkeeper Darren Keet, who has a knee problem, and we are not sure when he will be fit to play,” explained Hunt.
“On top of that, most of my first-choice defenders are injured and we are struggling at the back.
“I am hoping that Thulani Hlatshwayo and Nazeer Allie (red-carded against Kaizer Chiefs recently) will both be available for our next league game at home to Supersport United on October 17.
“During the festive-season transfer window period, we will need to bring in another goalkeeper and two centre backs.”
A new goalkeeper could also spell bench-time for current No 1 Moeneeb Josephs, who has conceded 11 goals in seven games and who is known to have rubbed some club officials up the wrong way following a recent post-match television interview, during which he accused his teammates of playing without heart or passion.
Hunt reaffirmed the club’s ambitions for the season.
“As much as we are down to play in the CAF African Champions League, our goal is to do as best as we can in the Absa Premiership.”
While Hunt was tight-lipped on the future of experienced midfielder Steven Pienaar, it seems like Father Time has caught up with the former Everton star as far as playing 90 minutes of football is concerned.
This could see the 35-year-old former Ajax Cape Town man down to ‘super sub’ status for much of the remainder of the season, or a possible departure from the Bidvest Stadium-based club during the next transfer window.