Gavin Hunt: Why Cape Town football still has an 'inferiority complex' ahead of Kaizer Chiefs clash

Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt admits he felt like a “total outsider” upon his return to Cape Town recently, but he is starting to feel the energy of the city again ahead of the crucial Nedbank Cup tie against Kaizer Chiefs at DHL Stadium on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7pm). 

Hunt, 61, is part of the Mother City’s football royalty, having enjoyed a stellar playing career consisting over 300 matches with Hellenic FC, before going on to coach Seven Stars FC, who featured players such as Bafana Bafana strikers Benni McCarthy and George Dearnaley, in the late 1990s.

It was at the turn of the millennium when Hunt packed his bags and headed up north to South Africa’s “Footballing Mecca”, Johannesburg, to carve out his reputation as a coach of the highest calibre.

After spells with Black Leopards and Moroka Swallows, Hunt went to become a SuperSport United legend, leading the Pretoria-based club to three PSL titles, before winning a fourth championship with Bidvest Wits.

The enigmatic Hunt is now back in his birth city, though, having succeeded Steve Barker, but after close to 25 years up north, and has returned to a very different football landscape in Cape Town.

“I feel like a totally outsider. I do,” Hunt admitted. “I'm not a Capetonian. I mean, I've lived 30-odd years, that side. So, it's been a bit strange for me, you know, to come back. But I'm getting a feel of it, you know?

"I always liked the way Capetonians played football. Because I grew up in this environment. So I like the DNA of the play and how the game is played.

“It's totally different to Johannesburg. The mentality is totally different here. Sometimes we always felt we were a little bit of an inferior complex here.

“Like, we couldn't challenge them. And Stellenbosch have challenged now for the last few years. 

“But can we get closer to those teams and compete more? We need to get a few things right.

"Our stadiums and things like that. I'm sure we can challenge, definitely, more on a regular basis. But yeah, it's been different. Very different. Even the water tastes different.”

Hunt, though, has an opportunity to show that Cape Town football is alive and kicking when Stellies face his former team, Chiefs, at DHL Stadium tonight.

Stellies have been struggling of late, but have the quality to pull off a surprise against an in-form Amakhosi outfit.

“It's certainly a nice game to play because of the atmosphere, and it certainly puts us right into a situation where we've got to be on it,” Hunt said.

“I also think staying in the Cup gives you a little bit of momentum in the League. You know what I mean? Sometimes people say the focus goes, but it doesn't really go. But it does keep your season going.

“It's going to be a tough game, they're really in good form, so we're looking forward to the game at Cape Town Stadium.”

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Follow all the action from the Nedbank Cup Round 32 tie between Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs right here. Return to www.iol.co.za/sport after the final ball for a comprehensive match report, expert analysis, and post-match reactions from both camps.