Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt.
Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt bemoaned his team’s lack of goals heading into the final week of the Betway Premiership.
Stellies’ chances of finishing in the top eight are hanging by a thread after the past weekend’s results. Although Hunt’s charges claimed a 2-0 victory over Orbit College FC at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening, their fate is now out of their hands.
The Maroons are going to need a favour from AmaZulu in the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Durban City, who currently occupy the eighth and final position on 39 points.
Stellies are one place adrift on 36 points and need a victory over Marumo Gallants to draw level with Durban City. Furthermore, the Nedbank Cup champions have a positive four-goal differential over Stellies, which will be incredibly hard to overcome.
“Certainly the last couple of weeks we've buggered it up because we could have certainly had a much better chance of getting into the top eight. Now it's going to be difficult,” Hunt said after the Orbit victory.
“We've had our chances the last two weeks. You know, we lost to Polokwane 1-0. We had Pirates, even though they were a good side, we should never have lost that game.
“And last weekend against Durban City, they were very good, but I do think we could have won it there as well. So, the last couple of weeks, we just needed a point here and a point there, and we would have got ourselves in a much better position.”
The currency of any successful team is goals, and the drought in the final third has really hurt Stellies this season with their leading goalscorer being striker Langelihle Phili with seven strikes. Furthermore, it has been lean pickings for the Winelands club.
“There’s been a lack of goals. There's no two ways about it,” Hunt said.
“You know, I think it's the first goal we scored in four games, I think, you know. So, yeah, there's been a real lack of goals.”
But the experienced tactician was not giving up hope entirely of qualifying for the MTN8.
“We've still got a chance. We have to score. Their goal difference is a bit better than ours,” he said.
“But I think most importantly, let's try and win the game. Whatever happens from there, happens from there, you know.
“You can't control anything else, you know. I've had many of those last day situations. So, let's try and control what we can, let's try and win the game. It won't be easy, because Gallants are fighting for their lives.”