Hunt backs Benni to succeed at City

Hunt gave McCarthy his playing debut for Seven Stars at the age of 17 and now the pair are set to face off against each other in opposite dugouts when Hunt’s Wits take on McCarthy’s City next season.

“You know you are getting old when you see players you started with becoming coaches,” joked Hunt.

“But it is good for the game, it is good to see ex-players, and a player of his stature come and work in the local league. It is a great appointment from that perspective and I wish him well, but not when we play each other!”

READ: Benni McCarthy named Cape Town City head coach

McCarthy has certainly followed the correct training path in becoming a head coach – he has completed his Uefa A License and is in the process of doing the Uefa Pro License.

“He has done all the badges, though you can do as many of those as you like, it is not the same until you do the real thing, ” added Hunt.

“But no doubt he has gone through all that and this is a great opportunity for him to work for a good club that has done well, with an ambitious chairman. I think it is a good platform for him to launch his coaching career, I am sure he wants to end up back in Europe and this can be a good stepping stone.”