Hunt hoping for last minute shopping before window shuts

Gavin Hunt says he is not done with his recruitment at SuperSport United and is looking to add one or two players before the transfer window shuts tonight.

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Hunt’s last addition to his squad was Senegalese striker Serigne Niang, which leaves a total of 27 first-team players at Matsatsantsa A Pitori.

“I’m never done signing. We always have to try and improve the squads,” said Hunt, whose side is still struggling to overtake Richards Bay into second spot, having dropped points after a goalless draw with Swallows FC this past weekend.

Hunt hopes that Niang can hit the ground running as they gun for second place in the DStv Premiership, a place which would give them a spot in the Caf Champions League.

“He has been training with us for about two months and he has done well in the friendlies. He looks good and he has a nice touch. But he must play games to get used to the PSL,” said Hunt.

“I remember when Mame Niang came and he did not score in his first six games but then he went on to become the top goal scorer in his first season. I am not saying it is going to be the same,” said Hunt.

With his squad being very slim, the four-time league- winning coach says it is not an option to promote more players from the feeder league, the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).

“The gap is too big (between DDC and the Premiership) and we have a big problem in our country if we think the DDC will solve our problems in the PSL,” he said.

Middendorp

Meanwhile, Hunt’s counterpart, Ernst Middendorp is optimistic about helping Swallows avoid relegation, especially now that the Fifa ban is lifted, and they can register new players.

“The positivity, the unity and the way that the team has been working will help us move into the direction that we want,” said Middendorp.

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“When I started on the 19th of December, it was not promising but I took this challenge and I tried to find solutions. The positivity that we have seen in the number of weeks, the unity and the way that the team has been working will help us move into the direction that we want.

“In the end, we have a very realistic goal and we are looking to finish at position 14 at the end of the season.”

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