Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is delighted to be able to call upon experienced defender Eric Mathoho ahead of their Caf Champions League clash against PWD Bamenda in Limbe, Cameroon on Sunday.
The 30-year-old is back from serving a two-match suspension and is in line to make only his third appearance across competitions in the ongoing season, having also battled injury at the beginning of the campaign.
Gavin Hunt pleased to have Mathoho option
Hunt believes the 1.90m tall centre back’s height will give Chiefs an advantage against their West African opponents.
“We are happy to have ‘Tower’ (Mathoho) back,” says Hunt, according to the official Kaizer Chiefs website. “His height will come in handy because you expect to have some big players from the opposition when in West Africa. We hope to use him to deal with their big attackers.”
Gavin Hunt, Kaizer Chiefs
The unknown awaits Kaizer Chiefs
The preliminary round fixture marks a return to continental competition for Kaizer Chiefs. They missed out of qualification for both the Champions League and the Confederations Cup after a horrid 2018/19 season.
They will be up against a team that has not played competitive football in eight months.
Hunt says his side has a bit of an idea what to expect from the Cameroonians.
“We’ve seen some video footage, but the quality wasn’t great” he added. “Also, March is too far back so we don’t know what they really look like at the moment. We are aware they played in Libya in a friendly, so we just have to go to the game and do our best.”
Gavin Hunt, Kaizer Chiefs
Chiefs are one of South Africa’s two representatives in the Caf Champions League, with 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns sitting out the preliminary rounds.
Other teams flying the country’s flag in continental competition are Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic, who will both compete in the Confederations Cup.
The match between PWD Bamenda kicks off at 15:30 (SAST).
