Gavin Hunt says three-week break hindered Stellenbosch preparations for Chiefs return

Gavin Hunt says the three-week FIFA international break disrupted Stellenbosch FC’s preparations for Tuesday’s meeting with his former club Kaizer Chiefs, with a serious injury crisis making it difficult to maintain his squad’s rhythm and motivation.

Stellenbosch face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium at 19:30, with Hunt returning to the ground where his time in charge of the hosts ended. The Stellenbosch coach said the unusually long pause in the season had created more problems than benefits.

“[A] hindrance, big hindrance. I think the whole world will feel the same way. It’s been three weeks, so it’s a long, long time,” Hunt told the Stellenbosch FC media team.

“And obviously, very difficult to keep training for that amount of time because of motivation, anybody. So it’s been a difficult period.”

The break also came during a demanding opening schedule for Stellenbosch. Tuesday’s fixture will be their seventh away match in their first nine games, increasing the travel burden on a squad already weakened by injuries.

“Yeah, sure. Obviously, another away game. I mean, I think it’s seven out of nine now. So we’ve played a lot away. Lots of travelling,” Hunt said.

The coach had hoped to use the extended training period to work on his team’s tactical approach, but the number of unavailable players restricted what could be achieved. Rather than allowing Stellenbosch to develop in detail, the injury situation limited the scope of their training.

“Not at all, because obviously of our situation, not to make excuses, but we know our situation with so many players out,” Hunt said when asked whether the break had enabled him to work tactically.

“So it’s been, couldn’t really work on much. It’s just pretty much, couldn’t really do much because of our situation.”

Hunt’s return to FNB Stadium adds another layer to a fixture that comes at a difficult point in Stellenbosch’s campaign. His previous spell with Kaizer Chiefs ended before he could realise his ambitions at the club, and he now faces them with a depleted team and a heavily weighted away schedule.

Despite those obstacles, Hunt insisted Stellenbosch would be able to put out a side capable of competing against Kaizer Chiefs on their home ground.

“But we’ll get a team out, be competitive. That’s the most important thing.”