Hunt has spoken, SA football needs a reboot.

SuperSport United coach, Gavin Hunt is one of the few coaching 'elders' remaining and still very much involved in South African football amongst an influx of new, younger generation of coaches, and when an elder speaks, we need to listen and take notes.

Answering football journalist, Lorenz Kohler's question about most Premier Soccer League's teams being less than 10 years old, Hunt said South African football needs a serious reboot.

Hunt believes PSL teams have bloated squads and they need to cut down on the number of players they have on their books.

But one important issue that hunt touched on, is the issue of PSL clubs selling their franchises like hot fat cakes on a busy street in the morning.

One has to look at one club that is a huge part of the South African football heritage, Wits University, whose 99 years of history has been 'erased' in less than three years after they sold their status to recently relegated Marumo Gallants.

Wits is not the only South African football heritage that has literally gone down the drain, Bloemfontein Celtic is another fallen giant, having been purchased by KwaZulu-Natal business woman, Shauwn Mkhize and renamed Royal AM.

According to hunt, if a team's status is purchased, the name should not change, as well as the club's base.

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Teams form a huge part of the community they are based in, they become part of the community's soul, one can only look at what Celtic meant to the people of Bloemfontein, and what it did to them when it was sold.

Imagine Mamelodi Sundowns being sold to a businessman from Limpopo, and renamed Limpopo Sundowns, just ponder on that.

Hunt, has touched on some serious issues.

Even clubs themselves need their own internal reboots.

The fact that Mamelodi Sundowns has won the DStv Premiership title says a lot about the declining level of competitiveness in our elite league.

Sundowns winning the league with seven matches to spare this time around, and with a points gap of 16 for two seasons running should lead to the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates doing some serious introspection, and, as Hunt says, do some very necessary reboots. 

SuperSport looking to add value to women's football.

SuperSport United are in talks with two Hollwoodbets Super League teams, with a view to form a partnership that will see Amantsantsa venture into women's football.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Royal AM, and TS Galaxy are the only DStv Premiership sides currently with ladies teams, with Kaizer Chiefs' efforts having fell through after they couldn't reach an agreement with JVW Ladies.

SuperSport CEO, Stan Matthews, says they are in talks with Tshwane University of Technology and another team, and his board will soon decide on the matter.

Matthews cites CAF requirements as one of the reasons they are looking at a partnership.

"We don't have a choice because I can't comply with the CAF requirements without an existing deal. These two clubs have both expressed their willingness to partner with us mid-season which is obviously the important criteria for us," he said as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/supersport-united-in-negotiations-for-a-women-s-football-team-stan-matthews

Matthews says forming a partnership with an existing, well-run women's team would be ideal for them instead of starting their own team from the ground.

"I think it really helps us because to start a fully-fledged women's team on our own is very difficult for us to do. So, to be able to partner with an existing setup that is sustainable, that has good brand values, that shows good potential, that if they had a little bit of extra support they could achieve something. So, that's the kind of brand that we are looking to partner with."

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JVW, according to Matthews, is one of the teams they have had some talks with.

"When I first approached them, they weren't prepared to have "Amatsatsansa" as part of their name, so they weren't on the list because that was part of our criteria. Our criteria were that whichever franchise it is, it will add the name Amatsatsansa to its name. So, apparently, they've had a second thought about that."

We have a small minimal advantage - Riveiro on CAFCL spot race.

After their 1-1 draw against Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon, Orlando Pirates now have SuperSport United breathing down their necks in the race for the CAF Champions League spot.

Both teams are on 51 points heading towards match day 30, with Pirates second by virtue of a better goal difference.

Always sober minded in his comments, Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro says they only have a small advantage over SuperSport in the CAFCL spot race, and they have no choice but to put AmaZulu to the sword in Durban next weekend.

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"We need to win. Firstly, it's going to be a difficult game, away. AmaZulu is an excellent team so we need to think about how we are going to win the game. It's the last game of the season. So we need to win, we need the three points," said Riveiro as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/victory-the-only-way-to-secure-champions-league-spot-jose-riveiro

"We have a small minimal advantage but if you think about the scenario three months ago and the advantage that our opposition had in that moment, I think we can be proud of the performance of the team in the last part of the season."

While Pirates will visit AmaZulu for their last game of the season, SuperSport have a tricky fixture of their own away to Sekhukhune United. 

Chiefs' African dreams are over.

Kaizer Chiefs saw their dream of campaigning in African club competitions crushed on Saturday afternoon when they lost 1-0 to SuperSport United at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Going into the encounter, Chiefs still had hopes of finishing third and qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup next season, but it wasn't to as they succumbed to their second Dstv Premiership loss in a row.

Ghampani Lungu scored the goal that sealed Amakhosi's fate in the 40th minute, ensuring SuperSport's passage to Africa.

This afternoon's performance was an uncharacteristic one from Chiefs in terms of numbers they normally produce in matches, in attack to be precise, and coach Arthur Zwane will be disappointed.

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Chiefs are a side that clocks high numbers on the goal attempts column, but against SuperSport, in a game they had to win at all costs, they were found wanting when it comes to creating goal scoring opportunities.

Amakhosi managed a lowly 10 goal attempts this afternoon, with a disappointing single shot on target, and it doesn't get worse than that in a must-win encounter.

What this afternoon's game highlighted, in bright colours, is the inconsistency in performances that has been Chief's Achilles heel throughout this season, this was one game where they had to be at their best and be ruthless, but they were almost at their worst.

With this afternoon's loss having summed up their disappointing season, Chiefs will host Cape Town City on Saturday 20 May at FNB Stadium, a game that will close the curtain on a poor season that came with many valuable lessons. 

We can’t lose to SuperSport, no matter what - Sithebe.

Kaizer Chiefs will travel to Royal Bafokeng Stadium to take on SuperSport United in a crucial Dstv Premiership clash on Saturday 13 May, with the kick-off at 15:00.

With the CAF Champions League all but gone, Chiefs have now set their sights on a third place finish which will ensure them passage to the CAF Confederations Cup, and beating SuperSport could take them a step closer to their new goal.

Chiefs midfield enforcer, Siyethemba Sithebe, strongly believes third place is still possible if they can remain focused as a team.

"Coming to SuperSport, I think we need to keep focus because anything can happen. It’s still possible to get third position and, as players, it is important to have that motivation and our mindset needs to be positive," Sithebe told Kaizer Chiefs media department.

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According to Sithebe, the message from coach Arthur Zwane is clear, they just can't afford to lose to SuperSport.

"All I can say is we know SuperSport and how they play. We need to be prepared for the long balls they play, and I think all our preparations are going well. The coach told us, " We can’t lose to Supersport, no matter what and with all our preparation, I think he is more positive that we can win this game."

Chiefs are currently fourth on the log, with 44 points after 28 games, four points behind SuperSport, who remain second with 48 points from 28 matches. 

Jabu Maluleke: It breaks my heart to see guys not doing well after football.

SuperSport United Under-19, and senior team set-piece coach, Jabu Maluleke, has revealed one of the reasons why some ex professional footballers struggle to make ends meet at the end of their careers.

Maluleke, who had a long playing career in the professional ranks, featuring for Black Leorpards, Polokwane City, and SuperSport United, says alcohol abuse is one of the reasons why some of his teammates never reached their full potential, and struggle after their playing days are over.

"It is sad because the careers of some of our players were messed up by drinking and smoking," Maluleke told Times Live.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-14-i-played-with-people-who-came-to-training-drunk-ex-supersport-star-jabu-maluleke/

"It is sad to see your colleagues not doing well after playing football, it breaks my heart because some of them used to earn a lot of money and were very good. It breaks my heart to see guys not doing well after football.

"Know where to go, know when and what to do. I don’t think it is a problem for guys to be drinking alcohol, but know your limits. You must know when to drink, you cannot drink on Friday knowing you are going to play on Saturday or Sunday."

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According to Maluleke, he sometimes had to pick up some of his colleagues at ungodly hours from their drinking sprees, with some of them arriving to training drunk.

"I don’t drink, but I have played and hung out a lot with people who drink. I have played with people who used to come to training drunk and I have rescued a lot of people calling me at 2am or 3am asking me to come and pick them up. 

"I had to make sure they wake up the next morning and if they don’t wake up I have to cover for them and say they are not feeling well. You must remember I was a captain and sometimes I had to cover for the guys. 

"If you come to training and you are not in a good state, I will come to you or call the whole team and say this guy is messed up today. Let’s cover for him, let him go home or go to the physio room to sleep there. 

"I used to tell the guys not to come to training drunk, rather make an excuse, because some coaches don’t take it and they will chase you away." 

When it comes to the last three to four games, that’s where it really counts - Hunt.

SuperSport United coach, Gavin Hunt. Image: Twitter

If Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are to achieve their Caf Champions League qualification dreams, they will have to deal with a stubborn matter of SuperSport United.

Amantsantsantsa moved back to second spot after their 2-0 win over TS Galaxy at TUT Stadium on Friday evening.

Gavin Hunt's men were their effective selves against The Rockets, managing to create better scoring opportunities despite enjoying only 42% of the ball, while they kept their opponents at zero shots on target.

Goals by Siphesihle Ndlovu 5' and Bradley Grobler 49', ensured that SuperSport walked away with the much needed three points.

Before Friday night's encounter, Amantsantsantsa had drew 1-1 with Chippa United, and lost 1-0 to Pirates.

Hunt believes the last three/four matches will count in deciding who wins the race for the CAFCL spot.

He will be hoping his side maintains some form of consistency, with Pirates and Amakhosi breathing down their necks.

"When it comes to the last three to four games, that’s where it really counts. We just need to get ourselves going and where ever we end up we will be okay. We would have done well, we are pushing but in football sometimes you don’t get what you deserve," said Hunt as quoted by Times Live.   
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-08-hunt-bemoans-supersports-loss-of-home-comforts/

"I think we have really done well with the squad size and it is much harder to acquire players here at SuperSport. We have done out best with loans, free agents and out of contract players." 

Hunt on their win against TS Galaxy:

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"I thought we were good on a difficult pitch. Moving away from our home ground, we were always worried because we haven’t lost a league game at Lucas Moripe Stadium.   

“Our intention was good tonight and I thought we really deserved the victory, but at the same time you could see we haven’t won in two games and the players were a bit edgy but we were really good and got what we deserved."