Playing in Cape Town could be to Kaizer Chiefs' benefit, Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt said ahead of his side's Absa Premiership clash against Amakhosi in the Mother City on Saturday.
Chiefs have foregone home ground advantage to accept a lucrative offer from the Cape Town municipality to play the game against the excellently organised first-placed Clever Boys at Cape Town Stadium (6pm).
Hunt, though, is wary that this could advantage Amakhosi because every away venue is a home-away-from-home for Chiefs, who almost always pull in bigger crowds on the road than they do at their FNB Stadium base.
"It does make a difference playing this game in Cape Town, because if you play Chiefs at FNB Stadium, they'll have 5000 people in the stands. In Cape Town they can get 40000," Hunt said.
"Obviously, it's financially good for Chiefs, because of course they won't be going to Cape Town for nothing. And at the same time they'll get a bigger crowd."
Both teams return from almost a month's break, having last played a league game on November 21.
Hunt is understandably frustrated at his side having had their momentum broken having gone on a nine-match unbeaten run that included seven wins.
"There's not much you can do. You can't train at high intensity. The training's been varied - we've tried to keep things going. It's been frustrating, but it's the same for everybody," the coach said.
"We've played friendlies, but the last thing you want to do is play friendlies. You can't expect the players to play at intensity."
Hunt was pleased, though, at the performances of Wits' three key players for the U-23s, who did reach Rio 2016 in Senegal by beating the hosts on penalties in the third-fourth-place play-off.
Tebogo Moerane featured at left-back for the junior national team, Phumlani Ntshangase in defensive midfield, and 18-year-old prospect Phakamani Mahlambi continued to impress as striker.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chippa United v Bloemfontein Celtic, Nelson Mandela Bay, 8pm;
Saturday: Arrows v Polokwane, Chatsworth, 3.30pm; FS Stars v Cosmos, Goble Park, 3.30pm; Chiefs v Wits, Cape Town Stadium, 6pm; Aces v Ajax, Mbombela, 8.15pm;
Sunday: AmaTuks v SuperSport, Tuks Stadium, 3.30pm; Sundowns v Pirates, Loftus, 3.30pm; Platinum Stars v Maritzburg, Royal Bafokeng, 3.30pm.
Cape 'could benefit Chiefs'
Playing in Cape Town could be to Kaizer Chiefs' benefit, Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt said ahead of his side's Absa Premiership clash against Amakhosi in the Mother City on Saturday.
Chiefs have foregone home ground advantage to accept a lucrative offer from the Cape Town municipality to play the game against the excellently organised first-placed Clever Boys at Cape Town Stadium (6pm).
Hunt, though, is wary that this could advantage Amakhosi because every away venue is a home-away-from-home for Chiefs, who almost always pull in bigger crowds on the road than they do at their FNB Stadium base.
"It does make a difference playing this game in Cape Town, because if you play Chiefs at FNB Stadium, they'll have 5000 people in the stands. In Cape Town they can get 40000," Hunt said.
"Obviously, it's financially good for Chiefs, because of course they won't be going to Cape Town for nothing. And at the same time they'll get a bigger crowd."
Both teams return from almost a month's break, having last played a league game on November 21.
Hunt is understandably frustrated at his side having had their momentum broken having gone on a nine-match unbeaten run that included seven wins.
"There's not much you can do. You can't train at high intensity. The training's been varied - we've tried to keep things going. It's been frustrating, but it's the same for everybody," the coach said.
"We've played friendlies, but the last thing you want to do is play friendlies. You can't expect the players to play at intensity."
Hunt was pleased, though, at the performances of Wits' three key players for the U-23s, who did reach Rio 2016 in Senegal by beating the hosts on penalties in the third-fourth-place play-off.
Tebogo Moerane featured at left-back for the junior national team, Phumlani Ntshangase in defensive midfield, and 18-year-old prospect Phakamani Mahlambi continued to impress as striker.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Chippa United v Bloemfontein Celtic, Nelson Mandela Bay, 8pm;
Saturday: Arrows v Polokwane, Chatsworth, 3.30pm; FS Stars v Cosmos, Goble Park, 3.30pm; Chiefs v Wits, Cape Town Stadium, 6pm; Aces v Ajax, Mbombela, 8.15pm;
Sunday: AmaTuks v SuperSport, Tuks Stadium, 3.30pm; Sundowns v Pirates, Loftus, 3.30pm; Platinum Stars v Maritzburg, Royal Bafokeng, 3.30pm.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos