Hunt: Durban City brace for ‘free hit’ at Mamelodi Sundowns

Durban City FC’s remarkable introduction to the Betway Premiership gathered more pace on Tuesday as they powered past Siwelele FC at a buzzing Chatsworth Stadium, thanks to goals from new signing Letsie Koapeng and Trevor Mokwena.

The result lifted the newly promoted Citizens to fourth on the standings with 11 points from their first six matches, a start even seasoned head coach Gavin Hunt admits has exceeded early expectations.

“Any win in the top flight is important, especially where we are with our squad and the financial side,” Hunt said after the game.

“A team of our nature, new in the top flight, we have to get as many points as we can.”

The victory set up what Hunt described as a “free hit” when his side travel to Tshwane this weekend to face defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, before another tricky away clash against Stellenbosch.

“Now we have Sundowns and Stellenbosch away, so in the next six games we play three really tough away games,” Hunt explained. 

“We expect the second round to be tough as well, so we have to try and get ourselves in a nice position where if we hit a wobble, we can stand it.”

Despite his years of top-flight experience, Hunt is realistic about the task ahead for his youthful squad. 

He suggested his players could be in for a reality check against Sundowns’ relentless possession game.

“Three points was very important here (at Chatsworth on Tuesday night) because we’re going to Sundowns next,” he said. 

“We will go there positively but there’s a lot of inexperience in the team and they’ll get a shock after 10 minutes because Sundowns doesn’t give the ball away, so we expect that type of thing.”

Tuesday’s result also highlighted the value of City’s transfer market additions. 

Former Bafana Bafana left back Terrence Mashego, brought in on loan from Sundowns, slotted straight into Hunt’s line-up, while Koapeng made an instant impact with a debut goal.

“His influence was huge,” Hunt said of Mashego. “You saw the difference in our team tonight. You can bring the best coach in the world but if you don’t have players, you can’t coach. So we needed the Terrence’s and Letsie’s to come in so we do things and win things.”

Hunt’s words carry the weight of experience, having guided several teams through the turbulence of life in the Premiership. 

For City, their start has provided early breathing space and confidence, though the looming test against the country’s dominant force will reveal and test much about their progress.

For now, The Citizens continue to ride the wave of momentum. Their win over Siwelele not only boosted their points tally but also their belief that they can survive and thrive in the top flight.