Hunt Admits Stellenbosch Challenges

Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt has acknowledged the club’s ongoing struggles, despite securing a narrow 1–0 Betway Premiership victory over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday night.

Hunt enjoyed a positive start to his tenure, winning his first match in charge of the Cape Winelands-based side after replacing Steve Barker, who parted ways with the club after more than eight years at the helm.

Stellenbosch endured a difficult first half of the season and will be targeting a stronger second round of fixtures. The Stellies have managed four wins from 15 league matches, with three of those victories coming under Barker before his departure.

The victory over Sekhukhune United helped Stellenbosch move further away from the relegation zone, with the club currently sitting 13th on the Betway Premiership table with 15 points.

Hunt has admitted that there is still significant work to be done as he looks to implement his ideas and improve results.

“It’s still a long way from where I want the team,” said Hunt.
“I am going to try and make the squad better and improve the players and the results — that’s my job. It’s going to be an ongoing fight.”

The experienced coach added that the team is only halfway through the season and remains aware of its weaknesses.

“It’s only halfway now, and we still have a long way to go, so we know our shortcomings,” he said.

Hunt, who was dismissed by Durban City in December, believes Stellenbosch have quality in the squad but require a shift in mindset.

“There are good players in the dressing room, but we need a different type of mentality, and that sometimes takes time.

“I can only work with what’s there, try to improve the players and find ways to get results — sometimes not pretty, but effective. That’s what football is about.”

Stellenbosch will next turn their attention to continental football when they face CR Belouizdad in the CAF Confederation Cup at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algeria on Sunday night (21:00 kick-off).