Hunt responds to rival coach’s ‘disappointing’ comments on Motupa

The fallout between two of the biggest Premier Soccer League teams over the failed Gift Motupa transfer last month is refusing to die down.

Bidvest Wits head coach Gavin Hunt made his feelings known on Sunday when asked about the impact Motupa had in their Nedbank Cup last 32-match against Orlando Pirates.

The Bafana Bafana striker was introduced in the second half and he scored the equalising goal in extra-time that took them to penalties where they won 3-2.

Motupa has been strongly pursued by Mamelodi Sundowns last month and they were even alleged to have called him.

Hunt made his feelings known about the comments of a rival coach on this Motupa issue.

When Wits went a man down following the sending off of Dominguez Pelembe on Sunday and they also conceded the penalty goal, Hunt was forced to change his tactical set-up and pushed forward captain Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo to play as a forward alongside Motupa.

He also pushed left-back Sifiso Hlanti higher up in the midfield, interestingly these are the players who can fit in different positions.

At Senoane Gunners in Soweto at amateur level, Hlatshwayo grew up playing as a striker and under Manqoba Mngqithi at Golden Arrows and briefly at AmaZulu, Hlanti played in the midfield.

Hunt has also become the first coach to turn around the fortunes of Pirates’ head coach Josef Zinnbauer.

In eight matches since he took over two months ago, Zinnbauer remains unbeaten having won six and drawn two matches in all competitions (a match decided on penalties is technically a draw).

On Wednesday, Wits will return to the Absa Premiership programme as they aim to catch up with the programme.

They host a stubborn Maritzburg United side and Hunt whose side has been drawn against Chippa United in the last 16 stages, says they are not in a position to prioritize competitions.

Hunt was also happy that the league’s on-form striker and top goal scorer with 15 goals in the league Gabadinho Mhango was suspended for this game.

He’s previously shared how he was opposed to letting him go last season but was overpowered by the lure of the rand.

– Report by Velile Mnyandu