Hunt makes bold Chiefs prediction ahead of Nedbank Cup tie

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has delivered a glowing assessment of the “new-look” Kaizer Chiefs, warning that the defending Nedbank Cup champions are currently a “dangerous” machine ahead of tonight’s Last 32 blockbuster.

The two sides are set to collide in a sold-out Cape Town Stadium at 19:00 CAT, and Hunt—who occupied the Naturena hot seat in the 2020/21 season—believes the Glamour Boys have finally found the “settled” formula that could lead them to more than just cup success.

CONFIDENCE IS THE CATALYST FOR CHIEFS

Chiefs arrive in the Mother City on a high, sitting third in the Betway Premiership and breathing down the necks of the league leaders. For Hunt, their current standing is no fluke.

“It will be a tough game. They are really in good form,” Hunt admitted. “They are a good side, and they are much more settled. They are more free-flowing, and once you’ve won a few games like they’ve won, it gives a bit of confidence back to the team.

“I’ve always said the league position doesn’t lie. The cups can cloud you, but your league position is where you should be judged. They are doing well and could win the league this year.”

Interestingly, Hunt highlighted a unique threat that Chiefs pose: their dominance on the road. Despite tonight’s match being at Stellies’ home turf, the veteran mentor knows that the “Amakhosi faithful” in the Cape often turn away venues into a sea of gold and black.

Chiefs have won four of their six away league fixtures this season, a statistic Hunt hasn’t overlooked.

“I think Chiefs are more dangerous away from home than they are at FNB Stadium because they get bigger support away,” Hunt cautioned. “Whether it’s Cape Town or Gqeberha, they’ve got more people there than they have in their home games.”

FEARLESS APPROACH

Despite the respect shown to Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef’s charges, Hunt has instructed his Stellies troops to “play without fear.” Having predicted this exact draw weeks ago, the four-time league winner is relishing the tactical chess match.

“Before the draw was made, I knew we were going to draw one of these teams… it normally works like that,” he joked. “It’s certainly a nice game to play because of the atmosphere, and obviously it puts us right into the situation where we have to be on it.”

With the defending champions eager to retain their throne and Hunt looking to pull off a tactical masterclass, tonight’s clash is poised to be the highlight of the opening round.