ABSA Premiership champions Bidvest Wits will be hunting for their first win of the season when they tackle AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
The Clever Boys head coach Gavin Hunt is determined to get his Premiership champions back on track!
After four matches without a win, however, Hunt knows he faces a tough battle against a wounded Usuthu.
He praised his players’ fighting spirit after 10-man Wits fought back from a goal down to snatch a dramatic injury-time equaliser away to Kaizer Chiefs, thanks to a strike by Egyptian international Amr Gamal last weekend.
Added Hunt: “Gamal is a fantastic player. We should have more North Africans in the PSL. He has shown us what discipline and commitment are all about. I wish I could get more like him.”
Hunt has been forced to change his starting lineup again following defender Nazeer Allie’s red card against Chiefs, while midfielder Elias Pelembe is doubtful.
But the main problem for Hunt is the fact his side can’t seem to keep a clean sheet. They have conceded seven goals in four league matches so far.
Admitted Hunt: “We have not kept one clean sheet this season and are conceding silly goals. That is a worry. It’s something I’m working on.
“We have to be tighter at the back. The problem is that we lost central defender Buhle Mkhwanazi to long-term injury. We miss him, and now Allie is suspended. People complain when I change my team, but I have no option.”
Hunt has a choice between fielding SA Under-20 international Reeve Fosler or Phumlani Ntshangase at right-back in place of Allie.
Said Hunt: “Those are two of the options I have.”
However, the coach is wary of a Usuthu side that were hammered 4-1 by the season’s surprise package Golden Arrows at the weekend. Wits were also victims of Abafana Bes’thende, losing 3-1 at home last Wednesday.
Said Hunt: “This will be a tricky fixture for us. It’s not easy playing AmaZulu in Durban. It will be tough, especially after their defeat to Arrows.”
