Gavin Hunt aims to help Bradley Grobler break PSL scoring record

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt says he will do everything he can to help veteran striker Bradley Grobler overtake Peter Shalulile as the Premier Soccer League’s all-time leading scorer.

Shalulile currently tops the record with 134 goals. The 32-year-old Namibia international established his reputation in South Africa with Highlands Park and Mamelodi Sundowns, but now plays for Tanzanian giants Young Africans.

Grobler is four goals behind Shalulile on 130 and remains in contention to set a new mark because he is still playing in South Africa, while Shalulile is now based outside the country.

However, the 38-year-old former Bafana Bafana striker has been affected by injuries during the later stages of his career. Hunt, who has coached Grobler at different points throughout his career, believes his motivation will be central to any attempt to break the record.

“He still wants it; he is obviously pushing for that PSL record, I will try to help him get there,” Hunt told the media.

The Stellenbosch coach also stressed that the club relies on Grobler’s experience and ability to score, while acknowledging that the striker may need to be managed carefully over the course of the season.

“He needs us; we need him because he can do it,” Hunt said. “He’s got one already and there’s still a long season to go. He trains everyday; he looks okay, obviously he’s not gonna play 90 minutes every game.”

Hunt said the key question for any older player was whether they continued to want the demands of professional football.

“I said to Bradley the most important thing when you’re getting older in football do you still want to come to training, do you still want to do it everyday but once you lose that then you must retire,” he said.

Grobler has already scored once this season and, with the campaign still having a long way to run, Hunt believes he has the opportunity to close the four-goal gap to Shalulile. The coach’s plan is to keep the striker involved without expecting him to complete 90 minutes in every match.