Hunt analyses tactical duel with Magesi FC’s Freese

Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt has unpacked his tactical duel with Magesi FC counterpart Allan Freese during Wednesday’s top-flight league match in South Africa.

The seasoned South African mentor survived with 10 men on the pitch to settle for a one-all draw with the Betway Premiership fellow strugglers, Magesi.

It was Freese’s first assignment with Dikwena Tsa Meetse.

It’s all square at the break.

Stellenbosch FC 1⃣–1⃣ Magesi FC#HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/7tNHzmi5S5

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 18, 2026

The 2024 Carling Black Label Cup kings hired the new handler after sacking John Maduka. – hunt

Reflecting on the Betway Premiership match played at Danie Craven Stadium, the former Kaizer Chiefs gaffer highlighted the impact that all new coaches bring into games especially in the first match in charge.

“I thought when we scored, that we would get a foothold in the game, but fair play to them, they made it difficult for us,” Hunt said. “You have to give the opposition credit.

“They never let us settle on the ball, and certainly changed their strategy. They’ve got a new coach [in Alan Freese], and there is always going to be an upturn in his first game, always, it doesn’t matter who you are anywhere in the world.”

Hunt on tactics of Magesi FC mentor Freese

The Stellies’ mentor analysed how Freese tweaked his tactics and formation while pushing for an equalizer.

“He left four up and went from a back-four to a back-five again, which I expected would happen,” Hunt explained. “It’s why I did what I did by playing two strikers, with Devin Titus [playing alongside Makhubu], and if Devin scores his chance, it’s 2-0, and then the game is done.

“I said to the players at half-time that we can’t allow them to have chances, and they never really did apart from one in the first half that Sage [Stephens] saved. Then there is the free-kick [from which Magesi scored], and it’s always going to favour these kinds of games, but we had a great chance to score from a corner too. All in all, we’re not happy, but we’ve got to work with it because it’s getting tighter and tighter.”

How Stellenbosch survived one-man disadvantage

The hosts had a bright start when Langelihle Phiri put them in front in the 32nd minute. The lead was, however, short-lived as Magesi dragged themselves into the contest. Samuel Darpoh scored for the basement side a few minutes later to bring the tie at 1-1.

As the men for Hunt sought to restore the lead, they suffered a setback. Wonderboy Makhubu received marching orders for an early shower after a high-boot challenge. At that stage, the strategy for Stellenbosch turned from chasing the maximum points to barely surviving the storm.

Stellies remain four points ahead of Magesi in the league standings, but both are not safe from relegation.

The next assignment for Stellenbosch FC is the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 game against Lamontville Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.