Veteran coach Gavin Hunt reckons Orlando Pirates have never had a better shot at winning the league title than this season.
His prediction comes after his side, Durban City, were beaten 2-0 by the Buccaneers in Durban on Saturday – a result which saw Pirates go to the top of the Betway Premiership standings.
After three successive seasons of finishing runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates have a three-point lead over Sundowns after 12 matches each in the league campaign.
Asked who he thought would win this season’s title, Hunt said: “I don't really care, but if you look at (the Pirates) squad, they've got huge impact players, which makes a difference.
“If you look at their squad, what they bring in on (off the bench) and them being out of Africa, it's a big plus for them.”
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Pirates were knocked out of the African Champions League in the second round by St Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which cost them around R10 million in lost revenues, but Hunt says that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
“Africa, my friends, you’ve got no idea unless you've been there. So, not to play in Africa, I think it's a big plus for them.
“And with the squad, you know, where they're bringing on, these types of players. They make a huge impact on the game, and they are the country's best players, sitting on the bench, by the way. So, I think that's the difference in the squads. They've got huge pace and speed, which hurts teams, you know?
“So I'm not saying who's going to win the league, but I just think this Pirates squad is very strong.
“And I think for Sundowns, it's very difficult when you compete across many fronts, and their focus has always been more Champions League, hasn't it?
“Certainly, it'll be closer than anything it has been the last few years,” Hunt concluded.