Hunt braces for Durban City test in Carling Cup clash
Gavin Hunt is heading into a Carling Knockout showdown against his old club, and he is under no illusions about the size of the task.
Stellenbosch FC travel to face Durban City in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, hoping to reach the quarterfinals for a third consecutive season.
The 2023 champions will need to do it away from home again. The Maroons have played six of their last eight fixtures on the road, starting with a season opener held in Durban instead of Stellenbosch.
Hunt has praised the work his former side has done behind the scenes.
“Durban City have done a lot of work behind the scenes getting players in, and they have a good nucleus of players. They have a lot of power and strength and, generally, their record has been good at Chatsworth so it’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” he said.
The 62-year-old admits the travel has been a burden, especially for his young squad.
“It’s very different when you play away as opposed to playing at home, where you can give young players more of a chance and it will be easier for them. We have a young squad and playing away so often has been difficult for some of these kids.
“But they will learn, and we are excited because they are a very good group of young players,” said the veteran coach.
He is still backing his side to cope. “If we play accordingly though, we’ll have an even chance. We just need to settle our team, and once we’ve got that, I’ve got a lot of confidence in this group.”
Hunt believes the club is still building something new. “We’re trying to create a new culture, with a lot of new players, and I don’t even feel as though we’ve really started the season yet. We’ve played eight games so far and it’s been a tough run, but we’re positive and excited.”
Durban City XI: Asare, Mkhize, Doumbia, Ncanana, Gcaba, Sirino, Poggenpoel, Domingo, Sanger, Jurgens, Koapeng.
Subs: Magoola, Mokwena, Sifumba, Maseko, Shandu, Msomi, Brooks, Nodada, Mokone
Stellies XI: Garrow, Nkwali, Msimango, Vena, Lebitso, Mashego, Blom, Du Preez, Matlou, Kwayiba, Plaatjies
Subs: Stephens, Sibande, Taunyana, Andreas, Johannesen, Lateef, Daniels, Butsaka, Matsheke
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