SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has acknowledged the improvement of Kaizer Chiefs under the new leadership of Nasreddine Nabi ahead of their round of 16 clash in the Carling Knockout at Peter Mokaba stadium on Saturday (20:00). 

The Soweto Giants have had an impressive start to their 2024/25 Premier Soccer League campaign, winning two of their opening three Betway Premiership matches and losing one at the hands of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns before the international break. 

The early season form has brought a new sense of optimism to the club, in contrast to the performances Amakhosi displayed in the last term which saw them record their worst-ever league finish in tenth position. 

Now, the SuperSport mentor is aware of the threat posed by the rejuvenated Chiefs side but has urged his troops to focus on themselves to stage a performance worthy of progressing to the next round of the competition. 

“We’ve got to try to concentrate on ourselves and try to put up a good performance, obviously we play them [in the league] next week again, ” said Hunt, who was in charge at Naturena during the 2020/21 season. 

“So, the draw was inevitable that we are going to play them in the cup, it normally works like that, we are under no illusions. I’m sure there’s going to be a big crowd there and we’re going to have to put on a show that’s for sure.” 

Hunt went on to highlight the reason behind the Chiefs’ improvement, noting that they’ve delved deep into the market to bolster their squad with quality players in several key positions, making them a force to be reckoned with this campaign. 

“Of course, they’ve spent, if you do that with your squad you’re going to improve, you have to improve, ” said the Matsatsantsa coach. 

“They’ve bought well, bought a lot of new players in key positions, so from where they were last season they have improved. We know what we have to face, so definitely [there’s improvement].” 

The Tshwane-based outfit has won three of their last five meetings against Chiefs, while The Glamour Boys managed to win the other two encounters, including the recent one when they last met in Polokwane in April.