Hunt is off to play golf
2008-05-15 07:49
Johannesburg - SuperSport United are on the verge of winning their first Absa Premiership title but coach Gavin Hunt will not be watching title challengers Ajax Cape Town in action on television against Santos on Thursday night.
Instead Hunt will be playing golf and when Ajax and Santos meet in their Cape Premiership derby at the Athlone Stadium. Kick-off is at 19:30.
United showed their championship potential when they waltzed to an impressive 2-0 win over Golden Arrows in their penultimate Premiership fixture at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium on Wednesday night.
That win propelled the Pretoria based outfit to a four point lead over Ajax at the top of the table with only one match to play.
United face a tricky away trip to the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium where they come up against Bloemfontein Celtic to end their most successful season in the Premier Soccer League since they won promotion when the club was called Pretoria City in 1996.
The Urban Warriors can cut that lead to a single point again should they beat third placed Santos.
'I do not care'
But Hunt stressed he is not worried about the result between the two Cape sides.
Said a delighted Hunt after beating Arrows: "I do not care if Ajax wins or not. In fact I know the game is on TV but I won't be watching. Instead I will have a round or two of golf on Thursday and then settle down with a couple of beers afterwards. "
There is no love lost between Santos and Ajax and nobody expects Santos who are enjoying a tremendous season under Botswana born coach David Bright to do Ajax any favours.
United have 54 points with one match to play, Ajax have 51 and Santos are on 45 with two games remaining. Should Santos beat Ajax then the championship will be won by United. It would not matter then if United won, lost or drew against Celtic on Sunday.
Ajax have to travel to Durban on Sunday to play Arrows at their King Zwelithini Stadium fortress to end their programme.
But stated Hunt: "Frankly if I was given a choice I would prefer Ajax to beat Santos so that we can go out and make sure of the championship and win it in style by beating Celtic."
Hunt has a good record against Celtic at their Seisa Ramabodu stronghold. He has not lost their in his last four visits.
Delighted
Said Hunt: "Seisa Ramabodu is a good ground for me. I would rather win the title on the pitch but obviously I will not be complaining if Santos manage to beat Ajax."
But the United coach was delighted with the way his players have rallied and risen to the occasion. He said: "Arrows were not an easy side to beat. For about 20 minutes in the first half they tested us but in the end we could have doubled our score had we taken our chances. But on the night I am pleased with the way the players have responded and now we know that if we beat Celtic we will be champions and that is they way I like it and we are looking forward to our trip to Bloemfontein."
Hunt praised sturdy defender Thabo September who he said was his man of the match against Arrows but he also said he had a pleasant selection headache with the return of injured midfield ace Letladi Madbanya returning from injury and Bongani Khumalo from suspension.
"All the lads impressed me against Arrows and I will have to think carefully about my starting line-up on Sunday."
Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra netted the opening goal in the 19th and Katlego Mashego made it 2-0 after 57 minutes. It was Mashego's fifth goal in two matches and his 11th of the season.
- SAPA