Keepers giving Hunt a headache
BLUNDERS: NOT THE PLACE TO TALK ABOUT IT IN PUBLIC
Gavin Hunt’s frustration with his goalkeepers must be giving him sleepless nights, but he said it’s an issue he couldn’t say too much about, when asked about it after yet another keeper blunder cost them dearly this week.
Itumeleng Khune – who had been brought in ahead of Daniel Akpeyi for Wednesday’s DStv Premiership fixture against AmaZulu at FNB Stadium – mishit a clearing punch and handed Lehlohonolo Majoro a chance to score the winner for Usuthu.
A picture of Khune lying down on his back after the incident which circulated on social media afterwards, told a story of a team in distress.
“It’s not the place nor the forum to talk about that…but yes, it’s a big concern that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Hunt, whose side slid out of the top eight and now trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a massive 18 points.
It was put to him that of the 19 goals conceded by Chiefs this season, 12 have been through careless goalkeeping.
“It’s something we have to keep working on and hopefully improve. But yeah, certainly it’s a bit more than that and it’s a concern. The goalkeeping has been a problem… so I thought it was possibly the right time to bring him (Khune) back,” said Hunt.
Khune had been left out of the team after his blunders cost the team in some past games, but it appears as if he hasn’t got back his sharpness that made him the best in the country for such a long time.
Hunt also addressed the Lebogang Manyama issue, saying the experienced attacker wasn’t giving what was expected of him and had to be pulled off 46 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the first half, replacing the injured Happy Mashiane.
“He certainly didn’t give us enough in that position and so we made a change and Mshini (Nkosingiphile Ngcobo) did very well and made the pass which got us the goal, so we were right,” explained Hunt.
On the issue of the captain’s armband remaining with Ramahlwe Mphahlele, even with Khune back, Hunt was very clear.
“Rama is the captain,” was all the former Bidvest Wits mentor was prepared to say.