Former Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy has backed Gavin Hunt to ‘put smiles on Kaizer Chiefs fans faces’ when he takes charge of the Soweto Giants.
McCarthy backs Gavin Hunt for success with Kaizer Chiefs
The former Cape Town City coach congratulated Hunt on landing the Kaizer Chiefs job in an Instagram post on Friday.
“Congratulations to Coach Hunt and (Kaizer Chiefs) on the appointment. Knowing this man and what he’s about, I have no doubt he’s gonna bring a lot of smiles on the fans faces and most definitely success that’s badly needed. Good luck and all the best coachy,” McCarthy wrote.
Hunt coached McCarthy as a youngster and gave him his big breakthrough with Seven Stars in Cape Town.
A high bar
Ernst Middendorp was sacked after guiding Kaizer Chiefs to a second-place finish in the 2019/20 PSL season, with it fair to say that their capitulation in the bio-bubble cost the German his job.
In his stead, Kaizer Chiefs have appointed with a proven track record of improving teams and winning trophies.
Hunt’s willingness to grow and develop attracted the Kaizer Chiefs top brass to the former Bidvest Wits coach.
A continental mandate from Kaizer Chiefs
Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung has given Hunt a mandate to bring success in Caf competitions to the club.
“Playing on the continent is key for us as we haven’t done as well as we should have. We have players who have participated in the competition and this experience should certainly be to our advantage,” said Motaung on the club’s website.
“The other thing I have always emphasised is the need for coaches to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge. The game has changed and become much more scientific.
“We know Gavin always endeavours to learn more about the game by attending courses both locally and overseas. This knowledge will come in handy to guide our team. We are looking forward to him sharing his experience with the team.”
Kaizer Chiefs conducted talks with Botswana’s Algerian coach Adel Amrouche but ultimately decided that local was lekker and went with the fan’s choice of Hunt.
The Hunt effect
Hunt is not guaranteed the benefit of a transfer window to improve on the squad with Kaizer Chiefs awaiting the outcome of their appeal against a two-window ban handed down by Fifa.
If Chiefs can get the ban lifted Al Ahly striker Amr Gamal has suggested he might consider a move to the PSL.
Gamal spent time under Hunt’s tutelage while on loan at Bidvest Wits and the Egyptian forward has not ruled out a move to Naturena.
“I would love to come back, there are many good teams there, Chiefs are one of the teams I like because of the stadium, the atmosphere the fans create,” Gamal told KickOff.com.
“They now have one of the best coaches in South Africa with Gavin Hunt, but Sundowns and Orlando Pirates I also like Cape Town City, there are many good teams in the PSL, if I had a chance to come back I would love to.”
Kaizer Chiefs will take part in the Caf Champions League in the 2020/21 season.
