Ngcobo is Chiefs management’s choice

During his three-year tenure as Amakhosi, coach Steve Komphela was often asked whether the new players were brought in with his input or if it was a collective decision with the club.

His answer at the time, following a bit of a shopping spree at Naturena, was that he’d not necessarily handpicked the signings. It was all about finding the balance between a perfect fit for both the club and his own style of play, he told the media in 2016. Komphela was content to do things “the Chiefs way”.

Hunt should be prepared for this sort of approach from the Soweto giants. The club will back him in beefing up the squad, though he might not always get the players he prefers.

Siya sources have indicated to the crew that Ngcobo is a classic example. He is Chiefs management’s top priority, though Hunt has been consulted about the potential transfer.

Hunt recently confirmed to the media that he has a “list longer than my arm” when asked about targets post the FIFA ban. But he also admitted that things aren’t going to work like they did at his previous club, Bidvest Wits.

While with The Students, Hunt appeared to have almost complete control of who comes and who goes, with CEO Jose Ferreira working alongside him.

“It’s not going to work like that,” Hunt said, referring to transfer dealings at Wits during his spell there between 2013 and last season.

“Obviously everything will be done through the football manager (Bobby Motaung) in cohesion with myself and a few other people. We will see. As I say, everything is done with proper structures and signings – not just throwing things willy-nilly hoping it works. It’s not pie in the sky.”

His predecessor, Ernst Middendorp, also had to work closely with Bobby Motaung and head scout, Walter Steenbok, in their player recruitment last season and it almost paid off with a league title, but the Glamour Boys were overtaken by Sundowns in the final 30 minutes of the campaign.

Ngcobo, insiders say, is part of Chiefs’ big picture plan to address their defensive frailties, even if he’s not Hunt’s first choice centre-back.