SuperSport United soccer coach Gavin Hunt is playing down the league crown favourites tag that came after the Premiership log leaders' emphatic 7-0 home win over Maritzburg United on Friday.
“In South Africa, you win a game like that and people think you've made it,” said Hunt.
“It's only a step in the right direction and what will matter to me is if we can hold on to our lead until Christmas break.
“We can't play entertaining football like your Mamelodi Sundowns, we just go about our business of collecting points. This is an unsung team.”
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| Gavin Hunt |
“We came here with confidence and hopeful of walking away with at least a draw on the road against a top team,” Palmer said.
“We enjoyed the ride up as a team and have to face the defeat as a team, but if there is criticism to take from our display, then I will have to take it.”
In contrast, good times seem to be back for Amatsatsantsa a Pitori, the winners of three successive championship crowns between 2007 and 2010, after a torrid 2010/11 season.
The team has lost key players like Teko Modise, Elias Pelembe, Bongani Khumalo and Daine Klate over the seasons, and the effects were felt in their poor campaign last season.
The difference this time around has been the recruits who have freshened up the squad like Malawian striker Alatuse Nyondo, who is tied top scorer in the league and has the potential of forming a deadly offensive partnership with young Ashley Hartog and talisman Anthony Laffor.
With defender Nasief Morris and midfielders Ghanaian John Arwuah and veteran former Bafana Bafana captain Sibusiso Zuma out injured, Hunt reckons United are far from their best.
“You just wait,” Hunt said.
“There is still 1/8Senegalese 3/8 striker Mame Niang, there is still Zuma who hasn't played for the team as yet and a Ghanaian midfielder Ä who I think is the best player I have ever seen.”
Hunt knows his side's biggest challenge will come in December when they will face Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtics in succession before the long break.
One thing he will be looking forward to will be a full venue attendance, unlike in their win over Maritzburg where less than 1000 people and an enthusiastic band in the stands witnessed a goal fest.
“December will be hard when we face all the big guns, but at least I'll know that the motivational factor on the players will be there because we will be playing in full stadiums,” he said.
“So far all we've had has been 50 fans, 25 security guards and 10 dogs.”The Pretoria outfit's next match is a Telkom Knockout last 16 tie against Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday. -Sapa
Source http://iol.co.za
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