Hunt deserved shot at Bafana job – Mosimane

MAMELODI Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane will support new Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter but feels Gavin Hunt better deserved the opportunity to lead the senior national team.

Baxter was confirmed as Bafana coach on Thursday to take over from sacked Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba to end a four-month period where the senior national team was without a coach.

“You know who my candidate was for Bafana Bafana‚” Mosimane said after Sundowns were held to a 2-2 Absa Premiership draw by Platinum Stars‚ a result that saw Hunt’s Bidvest Wits take a three-point lead in the title race.

“Gavin Hunt should have been given a run before Stuart and Bra Shakes came back.

“Let him get a chance‚ you understand what I am trying to say. Hunt has done very well in the country and he is about to win the league.

“Honestly speaking‚ I thought he deserved to be given a chance and I would have supported him.

“I would support Baxter because I am a South African and I would like to see you guys [the media] go to the World Cup.”

Mosimane said Baxter was a good choice and that the current SuperSport United and ex-Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs boss would have his Downs counterpart’s unconditional support to make the job of helping Bafana improve easier.

“He is credible‚ he is the right one in terms of organisation‚ knowing the country. I am not talking about taking the team to the World Cup and Cup of Nations before‚ but I am talking about principles‚” Mosimane said.

A good relationship between the national coach and his counterparts at club level is important and Mosimane expects that Baxter will have an open-door policy for engagements that will benefit both parties.

“Trust me‚ Stuart is going to call local coaches to say‚ ‘Let’s talk about what do you think‚ where‚ how and what’‚” the Downs coach said.

“I will support Bafana Bafana and Stuart and I was also going to support Huntie if he was given the opportunity.” — TMG