Gavin Hunt reflected on Stellenbosch FC missing out on the MTN8 after a final-day stalemate with Marumo Gallants, as he prepares to completely rebuild the squad for next season. Photo: Backpagepix
Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt is disappointed that his team missed out on qualification for the MTN8, but is excited to build his own squad for next season.
Hunt arrived in the Western Cape at the end of last year when the Winelands club were in a precarious position midway through the 2025/26 season. The departure of long-serving mentor Steve Barker marked the end of an era at Stellenbosch FC, and the transition phase pushed the club uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.
Securing safety was the immediate priority, and to that end, Hunt and his squad deserve credit as they comfortably achieved the primary objective, ultimately finishing in ninth position on 37 points - two points adrift of eighth-placed Durban City.
“I must commend the players,” said Hunt, after the goalless last-game draw with Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Saturday. “They dug themselves out of a situation that wasn’t very pretty at the halfway stage, which was the first prize.”
