AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
WITH only four matches into his tenure as Kaizer Chiefs coach, Gavin Hunt, finds himself under early pressure following his side’s 3-0 humiliation at the hands of arch-rivals Orlando in a Soweto derby played at the Orlando Stadium.
Hunt would know that while management and supporters at his new team will understand his battle to understand the team and get them to play his way, a loss against Pirates is a total no-no.
Predictably, Hunt was not happy with the outcome of the game. He pointed to a myriad of mistakes in the midfield and upfront.
He said there was a lot to be said, but he would rather not say it now. “It’s a long road…,” he said, in a post match interview on TV.
Chiefs started the MTN8 first leg semi-final match showing lots of promise. They were competitive and their early pressure resulted in opportunities in the first 20 minutes for ace striker Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro to score and get them ahead in the game. Both fluffed the chances.
A resurgent Pirates sensed blood and came back with gusto. Not only did the Bucs play Chiefs out of the park for the rest of the game but found the back of the three times, to prove the point.
Pirates drew blood in the 26th minute when Zimbabwean striker Dzvukamaja provided a sublime left-footed pass to Zakhele Lepasa, who headed home past Akpeyi in the Chiefs’ goals.
Pirates took advantage of the momentum and a combination between Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch resulted in a stunning run by Pule, whose superb finish, far bottom corner, had the Bucs up by two.
The second goal stung Chiefs into attack but they found the Pirates defence and new goalkeeper Richard Ofori up to the task.
Lorch put the game beyond Chiefs’ reach in the 80th minute after he received a great through pass from substitute Deon Hotto.
The two teams meet again on October 08 for the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final, but as Hunt said, the road to victory for Chief is long.
