Gavin Hunt reveals major challenges at new club

Durban City FC head coach Gavin Hunt has opened up about the significant hurdles he’s currently navigating as he moulds his squad for the highly anticipated 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.

The newly-promoted side, Durban City, are set to kick off their campaign on Sunday, August 10, with an away clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3 PM.

Hunt, who recently took the helm, highlighted the primary challenge: seamlessly integrating the retained players from last season’s promotion-winning squad with the new, experienced top-flight additions. The club chose to retain fewer than 15 players, releasing the majority, and has since been actively recruiting new talent.

“The challenge is to mix the ones we have and the ones that are coming in and try to get the right balance,” Hunt explained. He emphasised that ultimately, “the bottom line is results,” underscoring the urgency of finding the right blend of existing and new players.

Addressing concerns about the high number of player releases, Hunt clarified, “No, we didn’t. I think it’s 11 or 12 [players] that are staying, plus five or six from the DDC. That’s another problem, we need to form a DDC team very quickly because every club has had a DDC team for many years and we haven’t.” He stressed the importance of establishing a strong DDC (Diski Challenge) team as a vital “supply line instead of buying players.”

Regarding his technical staff, Hunt confirmed the retention of assistant coach Pitso Dladla, citing his valuable local knowledge.

“I’ll keep Pitso. It’s important to work with the local. He knows the club, the land and he knows players in KwaZulu-Natal,” Hunt stated. He added, “We’re not breaking down everything. I didn’t know Pitso, I only got to know him last week and a half and we have worked well together.”