HUNTING CHIEF
Why Gavin is good for Amakhosi
Knowing Gavin Hunt on a personal level after working with him twice at different PSL clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango has weighed in on speculation linking the four-time league-winning coach to Kaizer Chiefs.
The well-documented rivalry between Sundowns and Chiefs, especially after the Brazilians elbowed Amakhosi off the summit of the log on the last day of the Premiership to steal the title, has not stopped Onyango from discussing Chiefs’ potential capture of Hunt.
“He [Hunt] is a fantastic coach. I believe it’ll be a new chapter for him [if he joins Chiefs]. Probably managing a bigger team than the other few teams he’s managed [is what he desires], but football is the same,’’ Onyango said at a Hyundai-Sundowns event at the motor company’s headquarters in Bedfordview on Monday.
The Ugandan first worked with Hunt after arriving in SA in 2006 to join SuperSport United, before moving on in 2010.
Hunt joined Matsatsantsa in 2007 for a six-year stint and the two reconnected again during Onyango’s one-year loan spell at Bidvest Wits in 2013/2014.
The 35-year-old shot-stopper, who is considered by many as the continent’s No 1, believes Hunt can propel Chiefs to glory, having not won a trophy since clinching the championship in the 2014/2015 campaign.
“The mentality still remains [the same] that he’ll drive them to winning trophies; he’s done that with SuperSport and with Wits,’’ Onyango said of Hunt, who won three league titles (2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons) with Matsatsantsa and one at the Students (2016/2017).
“We know the quality he has as a coach and, going to a bigger team, the anticipation and what they expect from him is big. But he’s done it before and I believe if he’s given a chance to coach Kaizer Chiefs, he has the ability as a person and coach.’’
Onyango concluded by wishing Hunt all the best should he end up at Naturena.
“Of course, being driven by the size of the team will be something else, but good luck to him if he gets the job,’’ Onyango said.
“It’s always good to have competition with coaches like Gavin in the league. It will be good for the league and for football in general.’’
Hunt is now jobless after Wits became defunct in the wake of selling their top-flight status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila owner Masala Mulaudzi a few months ago.
He is now tipped to close the vacancy at Chiefs, following the sacking of Ernst Middendorp last Wednesday.