Hunt Says Chiefs Escaped Heavy Punishment
Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt believes Kaizer Chiefs were fortunate that his current side does not possess wingers like Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe, who once devastated opponents with goals and assists.
After Stellies’ victory over Amakhosi in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, Hunt reflected on the wide opportunities his team created and the mistakes Chiefs made at the back.
The veteran mentor insisted that with the kind of experienced and clinical wingers he previously coached, the Soweto giants would have conceded many more goals.
“I think if we had the best wingers that South Africa had in the last 20 years, then we could have scored goals with wingers in this game,” Hunt said.
“I’m talking about players like Daine Klate and Elias Pelembe, and we won everything (at SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits), even a league with those players.
“The moments we had against Chiefs, you get to see them at training. But there was no particular player today [on Tuesday who was playing like Pelembe and Klate], but we got the opportunity to go wide, and the other winger went into the box.”
Hunt won three league titles with Pelembe and Klate at SuperSport, and another at Wits. They formed one of the most feared wing partnerships in the country. Their understanding was central to SuperSport and Wits – adding the MTN8 in the 2016/17 season, before adding the Carling Knockout in 2017/18.
Both players consistently scored and assisted each other, with one attacking the flank while the other made decisive runs into the penalty area.
Against Amakhosi, Hunt saw glimpses of that blueprint in the combination between Langelihle Phili and Devin Titus.
Titus assisted Phili’s goal after the youngster entered the box at the right moment while Titus had the ball out wide, a movement similar to what Klate and Pelembe executed so effectively.
The former Wits mentor also praised Phili’s impressive ability and development.
“I think there is a lot he will do in terms of both sides on the ball,” Hunt added.
“This is an ongoing thing, and he is our top goal scorer, which makes me happy. But for me, I think it will be so much better if he continues like this, and this is an ongoing thing.
“Major (Phili) is currently improving in certain places, and he will do it because we will work with him.”
Following that victory against Amakhosi, Stellenbosch are now sitting 11th in the Betway Premiership with 19 points after 17 games.
The Cape Winelands side will look to continue their strong display when they host AmaZulu at Danie Craven Stadium on Friday, where Phili will aim to maintain his impressive performances.
