BIDVEST Wits coach Gavin Hunt has now channelled his focus on making a serious challenge for the Caf Champions League next year.
Hunt told the media after his side thrashed Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday to lift the MTN8 Cup for the first time in 21 years that he has assembled a strong side capable of winning more silverware.
Said Hunt: “This club has huge potential and we will make a signing or two.
“But the hard work really starts now because now we will be challenged and pushed, let’s see how we go. Let’s see how we do also in the Champions League next February, our squad is much stronger now. We will try and go on all fronts as best as we can.”
The outspoken mentor hailed veteran players Daine Klate and Mozambique born Elias Pelembe, for doing a fantastic job that ended the Clever Boys six year trophy drought having last lifted the Nedbank Cup in 2010. It was Hunt’s first trophy since he joined Wits in 2013.
He said: “I thought we were very good today and to beat a team like Sundowns your team needs to be good from back to front.
“Pelembe (32) ended playing like a right back and I mean at his age he was fantastic. When I saw him come to this country I thought he was the best player in South Africa like he was footballer of the year same as Daine.
“These two guys have added a lot of value to the club.”
Hunt reckons Klate (31) deserves more recognition having helped improve the standard of football in the country. Klate scored twice and created the other goal for Eleazar Rodgers to bring joy to The Students fans.
He went on: “I brought Daine to this club and he has been a fantastic servant. I don’t think he gets the accolades that he deserves. I think that’s this was the 13th or 14th final he has played in, he has won so many league titles. He has been a real servant to the game for South African football and sometimes he doesn’t get the credit. He should have had much more Bafana Bafana caps. If you want a left side player you won’t get better than Daine.”
Hunt revealed that he re-invented Klate in order to cope with the demanding game as he was no longer a youngster.
“I said to Daine that you are no longer the youngster that used to run up and down. We need to keep him and Pelembe fresh, they still got the hunger and desire. I had them at SuperSport United and I know what they are about.”
