Hunt impressed by his Students

Gavin Hunt and Dylan Kerr both felt their sides were worthy winners on Monday night, as Bidvest Wits pipped Black Leopards on penalties to reach the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.

Hunt was impressed with Wits’ application, especially as this was the second time in a few days they had to make the trip to Thohoyandou, with last Wednesday’s match abandoned in a torrential storm.

“I thought we were good,” Hunt told SuperSport TV after his side came through a dramatic penalty shootout, after 120 minutes saw the two sides tied at 1-1.

Gift Motupa’s opener in the first half was cancelled out by Mwape Musonda with 10 min left.

Wits scored all of their first three penalties, while Leop- ards’ Marks Munyai and Karabo Tshepe both saw their spot kicks saved by Ricardo Goss, making a rare appearance in the Wits goal.

Thulani Hlatshwayo also saw his penalty saved and Vuyo Mere then blasted over the bar, but Leopards’ Alton Kapinga did the same, and Wits were through.

“We were a bit cocky in the first half, we dwelt on the ball a bit and didn’t rotate it as quickly as we could have,” said Hunt. “But we settled down in the second half.

“They threw numbers at us, they were pressing … they got an equaliser with their first chance, from a cross in the box … I thought we had them where we wanted.

“It is difficult to come and play here and do it twice in a couple of days, up and down.

“We have hard-working, good, honest players and a good team.

“We don’t have that bit of flair, and as long as we realise that and play to our strengths on a weekly basis, we’ll be okay.”

Lidoda Duvha led the abandoned match 1-0 and had a good shout for a penalty turned down late in extra time.

“I think we conceded one shot … in the whole 120 min,” Kerr said. “I thought the players were fantastic. We started a bit edgy and a few words were said in the dressing room at half time.

“In the second half and extra time there was only one team in it, but in football you win games if you scored goals. Musonda put a couple of chances past the post.

“Realistically they had one chance and scored, but when it comes to penalties that is a lottery.

“We practiced yesterday and everyone here scored, but when it comes to the crunch some people get nervous.”