Durban – Chippa United owner Siviwe Mpengesi has responded to SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt’s criticism of the Chilli Boys’ administrative methods.
Hunt responded to Daine Klate’s removal as Chippa coach by describing the decision to fire him after only seven matches as a “disgrace.”
Hunt reflected on his own limited tenure at the Gqebera-based club, where he was ousted after only five months at the helm, having won just one of his first ten Premiership games the previous year.
Mpengesi has a reputation for speaking his mind, and he reacted to Hunt’s comments during an interview on Marawa Sports Worldwide on Monday, stating that the coach’s statements are those of a bitter former employee.
“Gavin Hunt was given the chance to coach our team, but he failed. His remarks are vindictive,” stated Mpengesi.
“Even at Kaizer Chiefs, I don’t understand why Gavin Hunt was sacked. He likes to say we don’t have the appropriate players. (Bienvenu) Eva Nga never scored under Gavin Hunt, but scored 10 goals after he departed.
“Gavin Hunt had chased away our number one goalie, Lloyd Kazapua. Hunt was expressing his opinion, but I don’t believe it should be taken seriously. I refuse to admit that we lack quality players.”
Last month, when Abdi Banda scored the game-winning goal for Klate’s Chippa against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium, it seems like a lifetime ago.
That spectacular victory over the Pirates inspired optimism and great expectations for the upcoming season, but three subsequent losses and a draw cemented Klate’s fate at the club.
Prior to Klate’s final game in charge against Mamelodi Sundowns, various persons have questioned his attitude to matches.
Before the Sundowns scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time, Chippa appeared to be heading for a draw at home against the Brazilians. However, Mpengesi thought his squad needed to demonstrate more of its strengths, and Klate’s failure to encourage that led to his demotion to the club’s youth team.
“I like Daine Klate. He was not let go. We will assign him to one of the departments,” Mpengesi disclosed.
When we played Sundowns, they were the dominant game. You cannot win the game by relying on other teams’ errors. You must make your own good fortune.”
@SmisoScribe