Gavin Hunt was left disappointed and frustrated after SuperSport United lost to AmaZule. Photo: BackpagePix
SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt expressed frustration following his team's 2-1 defeat to AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
The loss marked the Tshwane side's third consecutive setback in the Betway Premiership, leaving them languishing outside the coveted Top 8. The game began with AmaZulu taking an early advantage through midfielder Rowan Human.
Although United managed to equalise with a goal from Siphesihle Ndlovu, they eventually succumbed to a late strike from Ben Motshwari, sealing the win for the hosts.
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20-year-old left winger Oratilwe “Skelm” Moloisane finally made his senior debut for SuperSport against AmaZulu.
What a winger. Watch out for this name. pic.twitter.com/I4HVCbGFHY
Hunt, however, was adamant that the scoreline did not portray the dynamics of the match, highlighting SuperSport's dominance throughout.
"It was a real dominant performance, a game we should have won comfortably," he lamented. "So, really, I am disappointed. It was a good performance from us, but sometimes you can't control what happens.”
The coach went on to critique the specific moments that led to their downfall.
"Two turnover balls and then the shots from outside the box were disappointing. We should have been protecting that area better," Hunt explained. “At the end of the day, they got the three points, which is very frustrating.”
The atmosphere in the dressing room was understandably low as Hunt reflected on the mood of his players.
"The players are devastated because they understand the performance was better than the result. We created the most chances and showed more dominance in the box," he said.
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"It’s just a matter of pure luck sometimes, and it didn’t go for us.”
Amid the disappointment, Hunt maintained an optimistic outlook on the young talents in his squad, several of whom made their debuts during the match.
"They were excellent and will get better and better. We played some good football tonight and made our chances,” he noted.
“The two goals we conceded were mistakes on our part. We had the ball and gave it away, which led to their goals.”
Supersport also handed various debuts to a couple of their mid-season signings, amongst the on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns man Lebogang Maboe. Hunt glistened in an otherwise gloomy post match press conference and raved about the 32 minutes the 30 year old spent on the park in Durban.
“I thought he was fantastic tonight, he trained with us just one day, we put him in and he was very very good. He got on the ball for us which is what we want and he played the final pass ,” he said.
“He will get better of course because he lacks a little bit of fitness but we’ll gradually get him going.”
As SuperSport United looks ahead, the challenge will be turning performances into results. With their young squad gaining experience, Hunt believes brighter days are ahead. Yet, for now, the sting of the defeat remains a bitter pill to swallow for his team.
Matsatsantsa will return to the field on Wednesday when they take on city rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at home.