SA teams have lost their structure - Wits coach

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Nov 30, 2017. 14:30

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has given his opinion as to why there have been so many draws in South Africa’s Absa Premiership recently.

Two rounds of fixtures last week produced wins for only Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, with the other 11 matches all ending in draws.

This trend has been reflected in the fact that surprise leaders Baroka FC have gone five matches without a win and yet have retained their place at the top of the log.

According to Hunt, who took Wits to last season’s league title but finds his side at the bottom of the log this time around, this phenomenon is because teams have lost their structure.

“I think the game has changed a little bit. I think the game has become a little bit more of a basketball effect, you know what I'm saying,” Hunt said, as quoted by Kick-Off.

“It is a bit more you go, we go, you go, we go and then when you go don't concede and when we go... I think the structure has gone a little bit in the football.

“We just battle because of our situation. If you play your core of the team that we had, that's why we struggled. Chopping and changing.

“We won all our games in the cup [Telkom Knockout]. If they were league games we would be top of the league. But they are cup games.”

Hunt has been boosted by the news that Frank Mhango has served out his suspension and will be available for Saturday’s final against Bloemfontein Celtic, while Ben Motshwari and Daylon Claasen have recovered from injuries.

“They are all training but do I play them is a thing that we have to discuss.

“We have to think about it because it is a once-off game. Those guys give us legs and pace which we haven't had in the last matches.

“We got a few back now when before the team picks itself, now we can select a team again which is good,” Hunt concluded.