Hunt ready for ‘divers’
SCATHING CRITICISM: ‘THAT’S WHAT THEY DO, IT’S THE PORTUGUESE MENTALITY’ Depleted Clever Boys jet out to Angola for Primeiro clash.
Gavin Hunt will be heading into familiar territory, against unfamiliar opposition, when his Bidvest Wits side face Primeiro de Agosto of Angola in the first leg of their final Caf Champions League qualifier in Luanda tomorrow afternoon.
The Clever Boys left for Angola yesterday, with a squad depleted by a combination of injuries, a suspension and players who are not registered for the competition.
The likes of James Keene and Cole Alexander are not in Wits’ Champions League squad, while Keagan Ritche is serving the second of a two-match ban, and Anthony Gordinho, Vincent Pule, Daine Klate and Nazeer Allie are among those out injured.
Hunt has, at least, experience of the November 11 Stadium, where he took SuperSport United to play in the 2013 Caf Confederation Cup against Petro Luanda. Hunt’s United drew 0-0 in Angola before a 2-0 home win took them through to the next round. The Wits coach said he has “seen a couple of clips” of Primeiro de Agosto, but admits to “not really” knowing anything about them. “They are always physical and strong, and aggressive,” he adds on Angolan teams. “And they have that Portuguese mentality, so there will be lots of diving! “I think the most important thing is trying to score away,” he added. Hunt says Wits have extra incentive to reach the Champions League group stages this season, as their chances of any more domestic silverware are basically over. Even in the previous campaign, Wits were fighting for the title and only narrowly lost out on making it to the group stages against Egyptians Al-Ahly. “We are out of the Nedbank Cup and we can’t win the league so let’s have a go and see where we go,” said Hunt.
I think the most important thing is trying to score away.