Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has become the second Premier Soccer League coach to criticise Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
But unlike his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Pitso Mosimane, who likened the NU2 Stadium to a grazing field after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United on Valentine’s Day, Hunt was less harsh and complained about the pitch being “too big”.
A visibly disappointed Hunt told reporters after Tuesday night’s 0-0 stalemate between the Chilli Boys and the Clever Boys, that the length of the pitch was to blame for the somewhat dull game.
“It’s very difficult conditions here. The pitch is very big and it’s hard to play. The pitch is long and slow,” he said.
Asked if the strategy in the first half was to sit back and play on the counter, Hunt said that was never their plan.
“We wanted to press the middle third of the pitch. Why go into the top end of the pitch when it’s a 110, 120 metres?
“Why do you want to go there? Your team is going to get stretched and you’re going to play too stretched. You don’t want your team stretched,” he said.
“Once your team is stretched it’s easy for them to play through so we pressed in the top line of the middle, from the centre circle we pressed there, it was perfect.”
According to the world football governing body, Fifa rules, the standard length of a football pitch should be between 90 to 120 metres, while its width should be from 45 to 90 metres.
Sisa Dukashe met the minimum PSL requirements and was given the green light to host some of Chippa’s home games this season.
The game, played in front of a decent crowd at a drizzling Mdantsane failed to live up to its billing, as both teams are known for their good football.
The draw took Wits to the summit of the PSL log due to superior goal difference over second-placed Cape Town City, who have also played a game more than the Braamfontein outfit.
Both teams are on 38 points from 19 and 20 games respectively. Hunt is aware that there is still a long way to go.
“It’s a bit of a false league. We’re top of the log but that doesn’t mean anything right now. We have to box clever with the games, that’s all.”
The Clever Boys will now turn their attention to the Caf Africa Champions League as they travel to Egypt to play against African football giants Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
“When we get to Egypt, the pitch is a little bit smaller and we can play a little bit better, you know.
“And we’re playing against a total different style of football on Saturday – more direct – trying to score goals, so it will be totally be more different for us,” said Hunt.
Just like Mosimane did, Hunt blamed what he felt was poor officiating from referee Naasif Julius and his assistants.
“We had a blatant penalty. You gotta give the penalty – he doesn’t give the penalty. There was only one goal in the game the whole day today.
“And then in the first half he should have given a red card . Big decisions like that change games,” said Hunt.
Dubious decisions rile Hunt
But unlike his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Pitso Mosimane, who likened the NU2 Stadium to a grazing field after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United on Valentine’s Day, Hunt was less harsh and complained about the pitch being “too big”.
A visibly disappointed Hunt told reporters after Tuesday night’s 0-0 stalemate between the Chilli Boys and the Clever Boys, that the length of the pitch was to blame for the somewhat dull game.
“It’s very difficult conditions here. The pitch is very big and it’s hard to play. The pitch is long and slow,” he said.
Asked if the strategy in the first half was to sit back and play on the counter, Hunt said that was never their plan.
“We wanted to press the middle third of the pitch. Why go into the top end of the pitch when it’s a 110, 120 metres?
“Why do you want to go there? Your team is going to get stretched and you’re going to play too stretched. You don’t want your team stretched,” he said.
“Once your team is stretched it’s easy for them to play through so we pressed in the top line of the middle, from the centre circle we pressed there, it was perfect.”
According to the world football governing body, Fifa rules, the standard length of a football pitch should be between 90 to 120 metres, while its width should be from 45 to 90 metres.
Sisa Dukashe met the minimum PSL requirements and was given the green light to host some of Chippa’s home games this season.
The game, played in front of a decent crowd at a drizzling Mdantsane failed to live up to its billing, as both teams are known for their good football.
The draw took Wits to the summit of the PSL log due to superior goal difference over second-placed Cape Town City, who have also played a game more than the Braamfontein outfit.
Both teams are on 38 points from 19 and 20 games respectively. Hunt is aware that there is still a long way to go.
“It’s a bit of a false league. We’re top of the log but that doesn’t mean anything right now. We have to box clever with the games, that’s all.”
The Clever Boys will now turn their attention to the Caf Africa Champions League as they travel to Egypt to play against African football giants Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
“When we get to Egypt, the pitch is a little bit smaller and we can play a little bit better, you know.
“And we’re playing against a total different style of football on Saturday – more direct – trying to score goals, so it will be totally be more different for us,” said Hunt.
Just like Mosimane did, Hunt blamed what he felt was poor officiating from referee Naasif Julius and his assistants.
“We had a blatant penalty. You gotta give the penalty – he doesn’t give the penalty. There was only one goal in the game the whole day today.
“And then in the first half he should have given a red card . Big decisions like that change games,” said Hunt.
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