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Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has outlined his strategy for success in the 2020-21 season, even if the club fails to overturn a transfer ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
The bosses are prohibited from signing players for two transfer windows related to the signing of Malagasy player Dax in 2018, complicating the first of new coach Hunt’s three years at his first club of the big three.
Hunt said he has a team that proved last season that it is capable of competing for the DStv Premiership, finishing runner-up in a dramatic turnaround on the final day, having led for most of the season. He said the disappointment of that unfortunate turn can be changed as motivation, because the players have a lot to prove.
Four-time PSL winner Hunt, who replaces Ernst Middendorp after the Chiefs decided not to continue with last season’s coach, also pointed to the promising products of the club’s academy.
The Chiefs begin their season with Sunday’s MTN8 quarter-finals against Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.
“The bosses did very well last year and they were very unfortunate. So we will try to work with that and hopefully the decision will be made sooner rather than later, ”Hunt said.
“There really isn’t much I can say about all this. The players have been very engaged in training. But the test will be on Sunday and we will see how [it goes].
“I’ve only been here for two and a half weeks, and we missed a week because the players had a break.
But there are no excuses. The good thing is that I know the players, I know what we are up against and what we have in the squad.
“So I have to figure that out, and there are quite a few good young players here who will definitely get their chance.
“But [on older players] I always say that if you’re good enough and can still get the job done, it doesn’t matter what your age is. But we have to balance the two [youth and age] because of the situation at the soccer club.
“I have a lot of confidence in the players we have. Some you mention as “old players”. But, yes, they have done well, they have worked hard and I am sure they also have a lot to prove in the future. “
The bosses presented their appeal case to Cas on September 9 and are awaiting the outcome. Hunt was asked how he can address the situation while waiting, and if he can identify targets in the meantime in hopes of signing them in case the Chiefs have a positive decision.
“It is very difficult to try to sign players and promise them that the sanction will be lifted,” said the coach.
“If you look at the other side of the coin, I think it’s important that many of the players who were here last year can show again that they can do it. And that is a great opportunity.
“Because it is exactly the same team, there is no one new or that has left.
“When signing the players, it is at the administration level and there is nothing I can do about it.”
Chiefs drew 1-1 against Baroka FC on the final day of the Covid-19 affected 2019-20 Premiership on September 5, allowing Sundowns, as 3-0 winners against Black Leopards, to sneak in for the title.
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