AS FAR as SuperSport United are concerned, the popping of champagne corks has come and gone on Wednesday and it is back to business.
AS FAR as SuperSport United are concerned, the popping of champagne corks has come and gone on Wednesday and it is back to business.
And in their case this means purchasing new players with the bulk of R10million they got for winning the Absa Premiership.
After the initial festivities on the ground at Super Stadium, coach Gavin Hunt, having given due credit to the players and his fellow managers, turned on his pragmatic and businesslike persona and revealed what was to come next.
The club will acquire new players as reinforcements before charting a new path - which for any ambitious team playing in any league in the world is conquering its continent.
United chairperson Khulu Sibiya yesterday also expressed his pride in the historic feat, but swiftly moved on to say: "While we knew what we wanted and planned for it meticulously, we did not think it was achievable. We made history, but we will not rest on our lauresl. Once a team has won the league, you have to challenge for bigger prizes.
"So it is only natural that you have to reinforce what you have. If you keep the same players the tendency is to go down. You need fresh legs and this is our priority."
Hunt has brought in a couple of academy players who will be blooded into the first team in due course, just as this season's sensations Thandani Ntshumayelo, Masibuzane Zongo and Philani Khwela were promoted last season.
Sibiya said: "Some of our players are off to Bafana camp in Brazil and this will also hit us hard."
About Bongani Khumalo, who has delayed extending his contract, the United boss said: "Twice a year we sit and evaluate the progress of players. We look at individuals, and we either offer them a new contract or we do not.
"We used the same approach with all the others who have left before. So Khumalo is not going anywhere. He joined us as a rookie not long ago and he is now the captain. He has not said anything about leaving," Sibiya said.
new blood next
AS FAR as SuperSport United are concerned, the popping of champagne corks has come and gone on Wednesday and it is back to business.
AS FAR as SuperSport United are concerned, the popping of champagne corks has come and gone on Wednesday and it is back to business.
And in their case this means purchasing new players with the bulk of R10million they got for winning the Absa Premiership.
After the initial festivities on the ground at Super Stadium, coach Gavin Hunt, having given due credit to the players and his fellow managers, turned on his pragmatic and businesslike persona and revealed what was to come next.
The club will acquire new players as reinforcements before charting a new path - which for any ambitious team playing in any league in the world is conquering its continent.
United chairperson Khulu Sibiya yesterday also expressed his pride in the historic feat, but swiftly moved on to say: "While we knew what we wanted and planned for it meticulously, we did not think it was achievable. We made history, but we will not rest on our lauresl. Once a team has won the league, you have to challenge for bigger prizes.
"So it is only natural that you have to reinforce what you have. If you keep the same players the tendency is to go down. You need fresh legs and this is our priority."
Hunt has brought in a couple of academy players who will be blooded into the first team in due course, just as this season's sensations Thandani Ntshumayelo, Masibuzane Zongo and Philani Khwela were promoted last season.
Sibiya said: "Some of our players are off to Bafana camp in Brazil and this will also hit us hard."
About Bongani Khumalo, who has delayed extending his contract, the United boss said: "Twice a year we sit and evaluate the progress of players. We look at individuals, and we either offer them a new contract or we do not.
"We used the same approach with all the others who have left before. So Khumalo is not going anywhere. He joined us as a rookie not long ago and he is now the captain. He has not said anything about leaving," Sibiya said.