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Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is still getting familiar with his new surroundings, but he’s been with Naturena long enough to know that he has incredible talent on his hands in Njabulo Blom.
Hunt joined Chiefs on September 17, and while he’s still meeting the many people who call the sprawling facility in South Johannesburg home, the 20-year-old Blom has already made a big impression on the astute mentor.
Blom came in as a second-half substitute in the Chiefs’ MTN8 quarter-final 2-1 win over Maritzburg United on Sunday and while Hunt initially fought under his name after the game, he’s unlikely to forget the youngster again. defender after he delivered a masterful display.
“This young man we have … errrr what’s his name, Blom?” Hunt asked.
“Ha, I think he is the future, you know, I think he has great ability.
“I’ve only seen him for a week, but he’s really impressed me.”
Hunt praised the talented player and said he would work closely with him in the coming weeks.
“I didn’t want to start it [against Maritzburg on Sunday] and I should have, maybe, but obviously, in hindsight, everything is always easy for you, ”Hunt said.
“I thought he is definitely one for me, he can cover distances, he has a great engine and he can play.
“I mean it came [in the second half] and in the first 30 seconds he played that great long ball to (Bernard) Parker and Parker could have scored.
“So ha, he has passing range, I mean, he’s a fullback, he’s a midfielder and I think he does.
“You know it worked [on Sunday] but he is a young player, he needs a little time and I will give him time.
“I’ll work with him and show him some things, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Hunt’s hands are tired right now as he can’t update the Chiefs squad and bring in new personnel.
The Chiefs coach has to settle for the same team that finished runner-up to champion Mamelodi Sundowns last season and has had to find creative ways to make the best of a tough situation.
While rivals Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and many others have been splashing new players, the Chiefs cannot get close to the transfer market while they await the outcome of their Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal on the two. Ban on transfers that the club had imposed on them by FIFA with regard to Malagasy midfielder Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana.
The bosses presented their case to the CAS on September 8 and 9.
FIFA imposed the ban on the Chiefs in February, after Amakhosi was found guilty of signing “Dax” in 2018, when the Malagasy already had a contract with Fosa Juniors in his home country.
Hunt has turned to veteran players like Parker during these tough times and the much-maligned player looked at a breath of fresh air under new instructions Sunday.
Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat are also expected to lead from the front as the club continues to wait for CAS to announce a decision.
“Obviously we brought [Leonardo] Castro [against Maritzburg] he hasn’t trained at all, “Hunt said.
“You know, I think he trained maybe a day or two since I’ve been here, so he hasn’t done anything.
“It looks like he’s not in shape, I didn’t think it was going to last 45 minutes. I thought I was going to have to take him out if we went to extra time.”
“At least he gave us something to play for and we looked a lot better with Billiat in and around. So it was good, much better.”
The Chiefs open their league account on Saturday when they host the Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
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