Hunt urges calm as Durban City’s dream start continues

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has urged calm and perspective after his side’s impressive start to life in the top flight sparked growing optimism and talk of trophies.

On a brisk Friday evening at Chatsworth Stadium, Hunt’s men produced a ruthless display to dismantle Polokwane City after extra time, securing their passage into the last eight of the Carling Knockout and extending what has been a bright start to life in the Betway Premiership.

The result added to the momentum of a side sitting comfortably in fourth place after nine matches, prompting conversations about whether City might be this season’s surprise package. But Hunt, a seasoned campaigner with four league titles to his name, was quick to pour cold water on any premature excitement. 

“We’ve got a very, very small squad — 19 players, I think — so I like it like that,” Hunt said.

“I don’t like big squads, even if anybody says it to me, I don’t listen to that. I don’t listen to mandates, I don’t listen to any of that.”

True to his no-nonsense reputation, Hunt stressed that City’s focus remains on consistency rather than chasing early silverware.

“We just take it one game at a time and just try and keep going and try to keep moving forward, that’s all we can do — don’t get too far ahead of yourself, don’t get too excited,” he added.

The veteran tactician, who previously guided SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits to league glory, has moulded a side that mirrors his values — disciplined, humble, and relentless. 

While their results have drawn praise, Hunt insists the foundation of City’s success lies in their simplicity and spirit rather than star power.

“We’ve got a nice tight group of players, I think the players, they wanna learn, they wanna improve. We’ve got a nice little tight team, everybody is playing their part and that’s all we can ask for,” Hunt said.

“We don’t complicate things, we keep it simple. Once you keep it simple, the football will come out — it’s not rocket science.”

Hunt’s pragmatic approach has paid dividends so far. City’s defence remains among the most disciplined in the division, while their energy and organization have made them a difficult proposition for more established sides.

Yet the coach’s message remains clear — the season is long, and humility will be key to maintaining momentum. 

As City prepare for a congested October schedule featuring both league and cup commitments, Hunt’s experience and composure will be crucial in keeping his team focused on the task at hand rather than the hype surrounding them.

For now, Durban City are quietly making noise — and under Hunt, they intend to do it their own way.