Goble Park record still haunts Wits
AMR Gamal, the new Bidvest Wits signing from top Egyptian side Al-Ahly, will witness the physical side of South African football when the Clever Boys travel to plucky Free State Stars today looking for a first win in their Absa Premiership title defence.
Although Gamal, who arrives on a season’s loan – with an option for Wits to buy him outright – will not feature as he is still awaiting his international transfer certificate, it’s likely he will watch what coach Gavin Hunt expects to be a “real fight down there” when Wits take on their bogey side.
Hunt’s men have only beaten Stars once in five years at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem, finding it increasingly difficult to overcome them in their own backyard as evidenced yet again by the 3-1 defeat suffered there in the final weeks of the previous season.
“I think everybody knows it’s not really a football match there,” said Hunt on Tuesday. “It’s a real fight down there, and all credit to them. But we have got to match that. If we match that, with our ability we will have a better chance.
“We have been a little bit unfortunate sometimes, as it doesn’t bounce for you here and there. The last season they beat us, but we beat them by about 20 to 25 points over the course of 30 (league) games. And every time we have gone to play them there it’s been at the back end of the season. This one is early, but I don’t think it makes a difference because they will still be up for us.”
Hunt will still be serving his suspension following his dismissal in the ill-tempered MTN8 quarterfinal clash at home against Golden Arrows, which the Clever Boys won 4-3 on penalties. The game had ended 2-2 after extra-time.
“It’s not easy,” said the coach, who anxiously watched from the stands when Wits lost 1-0 to Cape Town City last Friday.
“Everything has been relayed to Paul (Johnstone, the assistant coach), but there are certain situations where you see something and you want to make a change. But we should have enough experience in our squad to play out the situation as best as we can. It is difficult to discus a shape change when you see one. Maybe it’s a good thing I am not on the bench at Goble Park, something different to change our luck.”