SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has revealed the impact this year’s CAF Confederation Cup has had on his squad. United are facing elimination from the competition if they fail to collect points when they face Al Hilal Benghazi from Libya in Polokwane on Wednesday.
They are currently bottom of the log without a point in their opening three matches of the competition.
HOW THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP LESSONS HAVE BENEFITED SUPERSPORT UNITED PLAYERS
Speaking ahead of the match, Hunt believes the young and new players, in particular, have learnt a lot about game intelligence.
“When you play in the CAF Competitions, which I have been doing for over 30 years, you learn how to play the game,” he said.
“Game intelligence is a big thing in Africa and I think we have learned. For some of these young kids, even some of the older ones who have not got experience of playing [in CAF Competitions], game intelligence is important.
“How to manage and handle the game. I have not made them play with too many restrictions, so we have gone out to play pretty much openly to try and win the games. We could have won two games and now we got both teams at home and obviously, we got to use the squad because we don’t have any,” added Hunt.
GAVIN HUNT INSISTS THEIR FOCUS REMAINS THE DOMESTIC LEAGUE
Hunt has alluded to the fact that United has had to play most of their matches with a makeshift squad due to injuries. He also emphasised that their main priority remains to do well in the DStv Premiership, which is their bread and butter.
“You saw what happened on Friday, he [Onsimor Bhasera] played centre back, you know what I am saying, we have a problem. So we got to try and be clever because domestically is where we need our focus that’s for sure.
“But we also need to be better at these African Competitions, but we cannot get ourselves in trouble like the club was a few years ago, almost got relegated by getting to the final. We cannot afford it; I will not let that happen, no, that’s for sure.”
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