Hunt says title is Downs to lose

BIDVEST Wits coach Gavin Hunt has spiced things up ahead of his side’s crunch Absa Premiership against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus today by saying the title is Sund to lose.

Sundowns are five points behind league leaders, Wits, with three matches in hand but anyone would tell you that games in hand do not guarantee points.

Hunt, however, feels Sundowns are in the best position, compared to other titlechasing sides.

But are they, really? Not quite, because they still need to play for the points.

“To be fair, if you look at points and games that they've got, it's theirs to lose. And to be fair, what they've done there is unbelievable.

“We’ve got great respect for them and we have great humility going there. They've won trophies outside the country and they won the league [last season] by a country mile. We know what we are up against,” said Hunt, who’s happy to be at the summit, but admits it means nothing at this stage.

“You always want to be in front. [But] we’ve only played 16 games, so it’s a long way to go. There’s a lot to play for.”

The 5-0 victory Wits secured against Baroka FC at home on Wednesday improved their goal difference to +13.

Having won the 2008/2009 league title with SuperSport United on goal difference, Hunt knows the importance of scoring and keeping clean sheets.

“We had to close the goal difference gap. “I’ve won the league on goal difference, so I know what it’s about. “There's four or five teams that can win this league, so it’s going to be close until the end.”

Hunt looks set to give Nigerian signing Ejike Uzoenyi, a Sundowns reject, a chance to play again after he got on the scoresheet in a cameo role against Baroka. Uzoenyi will add value to a Wits side that already has so much quality.

“I like him, he’s got something. He’s a leftfooted player, but he’s intelligent enough to play in three positions, so we’ll see. I need to learn more about him and he needs to learn about me. But so far so good.”