Gavin Hunt wary of Sekhukhune United change of guard

Babina Noko showed coach Eric Tinkler the door earlier this week with Paulus Masehe taking over until the end of the season, and Hunt believes this makes them a dangerous team to play. 

He also tasted defeat in the league for the first time with Stellies in their last game against Richards Bay FC, and spoke of the need to bounce back from that.

"Obviously we didn't have a good result in the last game against Richards Bay away. It wasn't a bad performance but obviously couldn't get any points so that was frustrating but looking to bounce back,” Hunt said. 

“Obviously we are home, well home away from home, Athlone, Sekhukhune obviously just changed their coach so that's always dangerous when you are playing a team that's just changed their coach. 

“What's the reaction gonna be like from the players? So we are gonna have to be really certainly up for and a very experienced side. They have a lot of options so it certainly won't be easy."

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While Hunt acknowledged that they will be a tricky customer to navigate, he says it won’t necessarily change the way his team prepares for the match at Athlone Stadium. 

He expects their opponents to have renewed energy to try and impress the new man in charge.

"It changes them, so many people who haven't played who are unhappy, now they're gonna be happy. So, you always find a reaction after. So, if you study it after the coaches leave it's gonna be an upturn for five games then they go back to normal again,” the coach added.

“So, all around the world it normally happens like that, so, on average, you never know. Certainly it's gonna be a new energy, a new vibe, even though it's the same assistant as well as coaching staff. 

“So, we gotta be careful, I mean we played Magesi when they changed their coach, they were like unbelievable revelations, now they're back to normal again. So, that's what happens."