Hunt’s team under threat

Bidvest Wits’ Caf Champions League chances are on a knifeedge as they take on Primeiro de Agosto of Angola in Johannesburg this afternoon, with a place in the group stages of the competition at stake.

The Clever Boys lost the first leg to the Angolan champions 1-0 in Luanda, meaning Gavin Hunt’s charges will have to find the right balance at Bidvest Stadium between defence and attack, knowing an away goal from Primeiro would put them in serious trouble.

Wits and Primeiro are both looking to make it to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time, with Hunt’s side just missing out last year at this stage against Cairo giants Al-Ahly.

Wits may as well go all out in this game, with their chances of winning the league and Nedbank Cup already gone on the domestic front. Hunt is slightly held back by the squad available to him, however, with the likes of striker James Keene and midfielder Cole Alexander not registered for the competition.

Hunt (above) also has goalkeeper Kyle Peters and striker Eleazar Rodgers suspended for this game, while defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, who played in Luanda, has been added to a growing injury list.

Hunt does have leftback Keagan Ritchie available again after his suspension – Ritchie was sent off on his Wits debut in the previous round of this competition.

“They are tough and strong, a very physical side,” said Hunt yesterday.

“We have got a chance, we have just got to score and that has not been our forte this season. The chances we had over there ... you can’t miss those chances.”