Quest for cup success won't be at expense of DDC graduates says Gavin Hunt

The Tshwane giants lived up to their reputation of giving academy players a taste of the elite level when they promoted Shandre Campbell, Ime Okon, Jabu Matsio and Samukelo Xulu to the first team at the beginning of the season.

With eyes on Hunt to perhaps target the Carling Knockout Cup, starting with their game against Polokwane City this evening, the coach still sees the youngsters as part of the big picture.

"We're a club of opportunities so these players get a chance. I played a lot of them last year; we got knocked out first round but I think you gotta do it. You gotta take and you gotta show faith in these kids but this tournament we don't play again until Thursday/Friday next week and then we've got a gap again. So, there's quite a bit of a gap. So, we can sort of play a stronger squad and not worry too much about what's coming ahead of us as well," Hunt said.

The model at SuperSport has always been to sell their best young talent, so it is crucial for Hunt to look at those that have to fill the void.

"We've got the youngest diski team you know in the league and it's not about winning, it's about producing which they've done. That's important for us but I let them play this weekend just to give them a little bit of mileage. Jabu [Matsio] was fantastic, Iniesta [Selaelo Rasebotja] obviously had a bad ACL [injury] and I mean he was really doing well before that and it's unfortunate. Again, competing with Grant Margerman and these guys. It's difficult in there, it's not easy."

When asked specifically about Matsio and Selaelo Rasebotja, whose long term injury has kept him out of the picture recently, Hunt argued academy players need to be introduced in phases.

"It's been a strong part of our team, so, the time will come, there's lots of games. I told him, there are a lot of games, you know and when they get a chance, they must take it but they will be given certainly in the 18 all the time. They play little here and there but these things take time and it's sometimes about timing with young players. It's not about giving them a chance, it's about the timing. So, they will both come."