Kaizer Chiefs miss their fans in the stands – Gavin Hunt
Gavin Hunt says that Kaizer Chiefs have been affected by playing to empty stands in pandemic-era football.
Kaizer Chiefs let a great position slip in the bio-bubble under Hunt’s predecessor Ersnt Middendorp, and this season they find themselves outside of the top eight and already eliminated from all domestic cups.
Kaizer Chiefs are missing their fans
Hunt’s Kaizer Chiefs team have also slipped to three successive defeats to rivals Orlando Pirates.
Kaizer Chiefs are South Africa’s best-supported team so it is plausible that they would be hardest hit by the absence of fans from the stadium.
Hunt is relishing the prospect of another Soweto derby but bemoaned the continued absence of supporters in line with the ban on mass gatherings.
“It’s always been a huge occasion in the South African calendar,” Hunt told the media ahead of the Soweto derby.
“It’s been like that since back then and everybody always showed a great interest in it and I don’t think it will ever change. Obviously, it’s very different in our times, with supporters not being here. It’s very difficult to play in empty stadiums. Everybody is struggling around the world. We miss the supporters and we’d love for them to be here. But in saying that, we are still playing for the three points and the pride of the club. It’s a very important day for the club and for us this season.”
Hunt admitted that by any measure Orlando Pirates should be considered favourites on Sunday.
“Well if you look at the league table, that’s how you judge it, don’t you? They have done well so far and we’ve obviously not had the best of seasons.”
“They have invested heavily into the squad and it has made them stronger, that’s for sure. They have a lot of options in their team, if you look across their squad. They have a very good squad of players and they have done well and rightly so. It will be a tough game for us, but we understand that. We’ve got to face it up.”
Hunt insists that Kaizer Chiefs aren’t focused on the three defeats against Pirates or their disappointing season to date, but on their upcoming assigment.
“In football, when you are in the business, you can’t worry about what’s behind us,” Hunt added.
“We have to focus on what’s ahead of us and so we are concentrating on Sunday’s game. If you worry about what you’ve done before, what you’ve achieved. We’ve got to go to the next game. It has no psychological effect, that’s for sure.”
No comments: