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Gavin Hunt on match-winner Dumisani Zuma: 'He's got to get better without the ball'

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Dumisani Zuma (Courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs' official Twitter account)
Dumisani Zuma (Courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs' official Twitter account)
  • Gavin Hunt has praised match winner Dumisani Zuma while also indicating that the player can further improve.
  • Kaizer Chiefs ended Mamelodi Sundowns' DStv Premiership unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win at Loftus Versfeld.
  • Amakhosi are back in action on Wednesday afternoon against Baroka FC. 

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt believes there is room for improvement for Dumisani Zuma despite the player scoring a match-winning goal against Mamelodi Sundowns, ending the log leaders' undefeated streak in the league.

Zuma replaced the injured Khama Billiat just before the half-time whistle as Chiefs headed towards the tunnel at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

With Sundowns in the lead, courtesy of Gaston Sirino, Hunt played his cards right and then introduced Samir Nurkovic off the bench.

The Serbian-born striker, who is observing Ramadan, made an immediate impact.

His attempted cross deflected against Mosa Lebusa into the back of the net for an own goal to level matters with less than 15 minutes remaining in the encounter.

Soon afterwards, Amakhosi snatched the lead as Njabulo Blom teed up Zuma with an inch-perfect through ball which split both the Sundowns midfield and defence, and the player made no mistake in making the opportunity count.

Speaking to the media after the match, Hunt, who seemed poised to answer all questions as briefly as he could, praised Zuma but highlighted which attribute the player could improve on.

"How many coaches had Zuma here? He had quite a few," Hunt questioned after being asked about the player's performance.

"He's got ability. The other part of the game, if he gets better at that, he plays, and that's without the ball.

"He's got to get better without the ball, and he did that today, but you could see a resurgence in him with the goal."

Hunt added: "And that's what we've got to get right with this team, we've got to get a team good without the ball and work hard and then your creative players come [into play].

"If we get better without the ball on Wednesday night (against Chippa United), we won't lose the game. But that is only things we can work on in the training ground."

The victory over Sundowns steered Chiefs into a top-eight place with one game in hand over ninth place Baroka FC.

Wednesday's match against Chippa is at 15:00.


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