Durban City FC head coach, Gavin Hunt, has reacted to his team’s run of three consecutive defeats, attributing the agonising streak to a lack of better fortune and a pattern of conceding heartbreaking, last-minute goals.
The latest blow for City came on Friday in the Betway Premiership when they fell 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs. The match, held at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium following a 30-minute delay, was settled in the final minutes as Chiefs’ Flavio Silva netted the winner in the 88th minute.
This result confirmed the club’s third loss in a row across all competitions. The streak began with a 1-0 league defeat against AmaZulu FC, followed by a subsequent Carling Knockout Cup elimination at the hands of Richards Bay FC.
Despite the mounting pressure from these successive setbacks, the seasoned coach, Hunt, insists he has not lost control of the team. He has been quick to highlight and focus on key areas for improvement that he believes are necessary to restore Durban City FC’s previous winning form.
“I have been with a lot of football teams, and I know when I know. There is a lot inside this team that still hasn’t come out. But we have to get better at certain things, and certain things are the old habits, the concentration in critical moments and all those things,” said Hunt.
HUNT PLEADS FOR FORTUNE AS THINGS GO SOUTH
The former Supersport United gaffer alluded to a lack of luck as one of the main factors contributing to their sudden dip in form. He highlighted how some games can be decided by supernatural forces, of which he feels they are deprived.
“I just feel we need a little bit of luck, you know what I am saying, a little bit of luck. You need a little bit of something to fall for you, and we haven’t had too much, even the games we have won,” added Hunt.
“I am not saying we deserve it [luck], but you have got to work hard for those types of things. But I thought we deserved a little bit more in the last two games.”
As a newly promoted team, Durban City have imposed a compelling presence amongst longstanding foes in the top-flight league.
After 11 games, City has collected 15 points, registering 10 goals while maintaining fifth position on the log.
Hunt summed up by expressing his confidence in his new project. “Are we building something? I think so. I like it here, you know, I like it. But you have also got to sometimes leave it alone a little bit, you know, not to put too much strain and stress on it,” he concluded.
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