A potentially punishing travel schedule, involving a boat trip between islands, appears to have Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt more concerned than opposition team Light Stars, as the Clever Boys begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the Seychelles tomorrow.
Hunt has settled on a combination of youth and experience, talent and expertise in a travelling squad that should see Wits overcome, or at least draw against, the tiny Indian Ocean island side in the first leg of the preliminary round tie.
Wits' 18-year-old forward prospect Phakamani Mahlambi has been included in the squad that flies to the Seychelles' main island of Mahe this morning, before a 44km boat voyage this afternoon to the archipelago's second-largest island, Praslin.
First choice goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has been left behind, with 20-year-old Jethren Barr, who made his first PSL start in Wits' 1-1 draw against Mpumalanga Black Aces nine days ago, set to start.
Hunt might have been expected to include young playmaker Paseka Sekese, who has impressed in recent matches, including his first start ahead of 2013-14 PSL player of the season Sibusiso Vilakazi in Wits' remarkably unfortunate 1-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.
However, the coach has apparently opted to give Vilakazi, regularly benched this season, game time to rediscover his best form.
Hunt admitted he has not researched the Seychelles islanders, who Wits would expect to stroll past over the two legs even fielding a mixed "A" and "B" team.
"One's a fisherman, one's a plumber. I don't know. I've never seen them. I know we've got to get a boat to go across to another island," the Wits coach said this week.
Hunt has taken exception to questions on whether Wits will take the tie seriously. Last year, at this same stage of the Confed, Wits fielded academy players against Swazi team Royal Leopards in the second leg match, spurning a 3-0 lead from the first leg and losing on penalties.
"We will approach it like every other game, with the commitment and the attitude of any professional team," he said. "We'll play the squad. We have 30 players registered and everybody will play. Like against Chiefs, where Sekese played ahead of Vilakazi."
Wits more vexed about travel than Islanders
A potentially punishing travel schedule, involving a boat trip between islands, appears to have Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt more concerned than opposition team Light Stars, as the Clever Boys begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the Seychelles tomorrow.
Hunt has settled on a combination of youth and experience, talent and expertise in a travelling squad that should see Wits overcome, or at least draw against, the tiny Indian Ocean island side in the first leg of the preliminary round tie.
Wits' 18-year-old forward prospect Phakamani Mahlambi has been included in the squad that flies to the Seychelles' main island of Mahe this morning, before a 44km boat voyage this afternoon to the archipelago's second-largest island, Praslin.
First choice goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has been left behind, with 20-year-old Jethren Barr, who made his first PSL start in Wits' 1-1 draw against Mpumalanga Black Aces nine days ago, set to start.
Hunt might have been expected to include young playmaker Paseka Sekese, who has impressed in recent matches, including his first start ahead of 2013-14 PSL player of the season Sibusiso Vilakazi in Wits' remarkably unfortunate 1-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.
However, the coach has apparently opted to give Vilakazi, regularly benched this season, game time to rediscover his best form.
Hunt admitted he has not researched the Seychelles islanders, who Wits would expect to stroll past over the two legs even fielding a mixed "A" and "B" team.
"One's a fisherman, one's a plumber. I don't know. I've never seen them. I know we've got to get a boat to go across to another island," the Wits coach said this week.
Hunt has taken exception to questions on whether Wits will take the tie seriously. Last year, at this same stage of the Confed, Wits fielded academy players against Swazi team Royal Leopards in the second leg match, spurning a 3-0 lead from the first leg and losing on penalties.
"We will approach it like every other game, with the commitment and the attitude of any professional team," he said. "We'll play the squad. We have 30 players registered and everybody will play. Like against Chiefs, where Sekese played ahead of Vilakazi."
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