Wits eyeing the continent
Gavin Hunt is desperate to get Bidvest Wits back into continental club football next season, whether it is via winning the Nedbank Cup, or finishing in the top three of the Absa Premiership.
The attitude marks a stark contrast to the start of the season, where Wits seemed reluctant to play in the 2019/20 Caf Confederation Cup, but reaching the group stages has clearly had an impact on the Wits head coach, even though the Clever Boys went out without winning a game.
Wits have reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 Nedbank Cup, beating Chippa United 2-0 on Monday night at Bidvest Stadium, and are in the running for the Absa Premiership title, though they may find it tough to catch the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
“It is very difficult in the league,” said Hunt, after goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo (above) and Phathutshedzo Nange had sealed a comfortable win over Chippa.
“Mathematically, still anyone can win it, but we also want to get ourselves into Africa. That is important and right now if we get knocked out of the Nedbank Cup we only have one chance (in the league).”
Wits’ next league game is at SuperSport on Saturday in Mbombela – the two sides are tied on 34 points, but Wits have four games in hand on Matsatsantsa, who have faded badly of late and have no realistic chance of winning the league.
“Again, it won’t be easy, they haven’t played for a long time and they haven’t won (of late), we have got to go there and be positive.”
Hunt will have to wait on a shoulder injury to Cameroonian striker Bienvenu Eva Nga, who went off early against Chippa, while he was not entirely happy with the debut of Zimbabwean wing-back MacClive Phiri on Wednesday.
“(It was) not great,” said Hunt. “I’ve seen him better at training, he looked a bit on edge.
“I don’t know if he has played too many games under lights, and they are not the best here.
“But I have seen a lot in training, and he will add good competition.”
Wits have played SuperSport twice this season, losing both times, 3-0 at home in the MTN8 quarterfinals and 1-0 at home in the league and it may benefit the Clever Boys to be playing away.