Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has shared his assessment of Njabulo Blom’s debut for the club following the midfielder’s full 90-minute display against his former club, Kaizer Chiefs, at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Blom anchored the engine room alongside fellow debutant and ex-Chiefs midfielder George Matlou. Despite a three-week FIFA international hiatus and a lack of recent match sharpness, both players kept it simple and played a sensible game away from home.
In a disciplined 90-minute display, Blom kept things neat at the heart of the midfield, completing 11 of his 13 passes [85% accuracy] and making four ball recoveries, according to FotMob. Operating primarily as an anchor, the 26-year-old registered two defensive contributions, one tackle, and one interception, focusing on structural cover rather than pushing into the final third.
Blom joined Stellenbosch in September on loan from Indonesian Super League club Borneo Samarinda. The former St Louis City star signed for Samarinda after a spell with Vietnamese side Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC.
However, after struggling to settle abroad, the Bafana Bafana international has returned to South Africa to reunite with Hunt, who holds him in high regard. Blom previously played under the veteran coach at Amakhosi during the 2020/21 season, where he was converted into a central midfielder.
GAVIN HUNT ON NJABULO BLOM’S QUALITY AND POWER
Speaking to journalists after the 1-1 Betway Premiership draw, Hunt expressed complete confidence that Blom will prove a massive asset as his match fitness improves.
“I mean, I had Blom while I was at Chiefs, and I moved him from a full-back position into central midfield, and he was magnificent for me,” said Hunt. “We got to the [CAF] Champions League semi-final, and he was magnificent. I also signed Darrel [Matsheke], and the two of them were magnificent with me at Chiefs when I had them at the club as kids.
“So, obviously Darrel is not fit as well—he didn’t even travel—and Njabulo hasn’t played for ages, but you can see the power. You can see he’s got quality and power in midfield, and that’s what we need. I know he will only get better.”
Hunt remains convinced that reuniting with his former player will pay off as the season goes on.
“As the game went on, he got caught a few times, but he’s got power, and he’ll be good for us. There’s no doubt about that; I know that.”
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