BIDVEST Wits will tread carefully when they tackle minnows Cape Town All Stars in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 round at Athlone Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
Wits coach Gavin Hunt told SunSport that it would be suicidal to underestimate the National First Division side.
All Stars are a closed book to the Clever Boys, who recently returned from Cairo where they lost 1-0 to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a first round, first leg Caf Champions League match.
Said Hunt: “I have no idea what All Stars are about, we will check them out tomorrow. The fact that they are in the Last 32 draw means they are a good side. We will be careful and do our best to swing the game in our favour.”
Although other PSL coaches usually give fringe players a chance when they face lower league clubs, Hunt is not taking any risks to ensure they progress. This means he might field his strongest side, who will take on Al Ahly again in the return leg of continental competition at Milpark’s Bidvest Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm).
“This competition is different to the Champions League. We will field our best team available on the night and only worry about the Caf game on Sunday. We will know tomorrow if the trip to Cairo has had an effect on the players or not.”
Although All Stars are nowhere near a promotion spot in the NFD table, victory over Wits will boost their confidence for the remaining 10 league games. The Mother City based All Stars occupy 11th spot in the standings with 24 points.
They will rely heavily on the tactical prowess of their coach Patrick Mabedi to upset Hunt’s charges.
The Absa Premiership title-chasers will need to keep a close eye on their former players, Paseka Sekese and Abednigo Mosiatlhaga, who will be eager to prove their worth. The two players left Wits at the start of the season in a bid to get more game-time elsewhere.
Wits will pin their hopes on the scoring prowess of strikers Gabadinho Mhango and Eleazar Rogers to secure a spot in the Last 16 ahead of the draw on Thursday.