Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says the Soweto derby victory could serve as a big motivation for his side moving forward and perhaps be the turning point they need for consistency in the DSTV Premiership.
In what was a rather unexpected result before the international break, Kaizer Chiefs brought Pirates’ ten-game unbeaten run to an end. A stunning overhead strike from Samir Nurkovic proved to be the difference as Amakhosi claimed a crucial three points and derby bragging rights to go with.
Gavin Hunt is now hopeful the win provides Kaizer Chiefs with some momentum as they prepare for some crucial games after the international break. The 56-year-old also detailed many games he felt his side should have won, with his message being that they need to move further up the table.
“It was huge in [the context of] our situation in the league, which is not very good. We need to get ourselves up the league, we’ve had too many draws,” Hunt told the media, as quoted by Kickoff.
“In similar games at home, we’ve had four games where we were 1-0 up – against SuperSport, Celtic, Baroka… 1-0 up, no problems – and then we draw 1-1.
“So those were games where we should have won and we didn’t, so we need to get ourselves up the league [table].
“Obviously we’ve got a huge task against Wydad Casablanca, which is next here, so we’ll have to change focus again, and then it will be a league game and another trip to Guinea.
“So, it’s a big ask but listen, if we get Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro back, and we get another number back, Rama Mphahlele back [from CAF suspension], Kearyn Baccus, we’ll have a few more numbers.”
For their first fixture after the international break, Kaizer Chiefs will turn their attention to the CAF Champions League where they take on Morrocan outfit and leaders of Group C in Wydad Casablanca.
That fixture couldn’t have come at a better time for Amakhosi as they basically need to get something out of that game to strengthen their chances of qualifying. If they lose and 2nd place Horoya manage to win bottom side Pedro Atletico, it could be game over for the South African side.
After that, Chiefs will now return to domestic action, also at home, when they welcome Stellenbosch to the Soccer Stadium on the 6th of April.