Hunt lifeline offer to struggling stars
SINCE their departure from SuperSport United, Anthony Laffor and Elias Pelembe have seen their form and career nosedive at big-spenders Mamelodi Sundowns.
At the star-studded team in Chloorkop, Laffor and Pelembe, who were influential in SuperSport’s three consecutive PSL championship triumphs, have found the going tough as they often have to be content with a place on the bench or in the stands.
However, an unexpected lifeline has been thrown to the duo, as former coach Gavin Hunt says the door is open for his former stars if they want to return to Matsatsantsa A Pitori.
“Not many players have been the same since they left here. I don’t know what goes on at other clubs. It’s not for me to say but we know what we are trying to do and what we look for. I can take them back anytime,” said Hunt.
So far Laffor and Pelembe have discovered that the grass is not that much greener at Sundowns, where they have been struggling. Game time and excellence on the pitch is something that has seemingly eluded Pelembe and Laffor. With Sundowns reportedly paying the duo mega-bucks, the only stumbling block for Matsatsantsa could be salaries.
“We can’t afford their wages. That’s the problem. If they are willing to come, they must take a cut. The wages are going to be a big stumbling block,” said Hunt.
“But they can fit in well with us. They know what we do. They delivered three titles and plenty of goals when they were with us.”
However, this weekend Hunt will have to make do with what he has as SuperSport clash with AmaZulu at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in search of their first win in the league this season. SuperSport, who will play Moroka Swallows in the MTN8 final next weekend, are yet to register a win in the league having played to three draws – against Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town and University of Pretoria.
“We need to win. We have done okay. I suppose the only one you can look at is the TUKS game. We should have done better but it’s always going to be tough games until you get a little bit of momentum. The cup also clouds everything. You know how players think and react sometimes. They (AmaZulu) are also battling. Everybody wants to win at this time of the year. It’s a home game for us. We want the three points,” said Hunt.
Like SuperSport, AmaZulu are yet to taste victory. The men from KwaZulu-Natal have lost two and drawn one in what has been a shaky start to the season and coach Roger Palmgren needs results to save his job.
Their not-so-solid defence could find the going tough against the Tshwane giants who boast a lethal strike-force. That SuperSport have managed just one goal in three league matches might motivate AmaZulu to take the game to them.
AmaZulu defender Tsweu Mokoro is of the view that the MTN8 final might be a distraction for the three-time PSL champions. “These things always affect players in a way because everyone wants to be available for the final; players do tend to avoid injuries and suspensions,” said Mokoro.