Gabuza from striker to defender?: 'I'd do it again,' says Hunt after shock Nedbank Cup defeat

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt defended picking a heavily rotated starting XI after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Dondol Stars in their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.  

In an attempt to rest legs as his side hold onto second place in the DStv Premiership, Hunt raised eyebrows by deploying veteran striker Thamsanqa Gabuza at centre-back. 

Be that as it may, Siyabonga Nhlapo headed in an 18th minute opener for SuperSport and it looked as if it would be plain sailing for the DStv Premiership giants.

However, the Stars had other plans and two goals after the break from Relebogile Molefe and Surprise Monama saw the ABC Motsepe League (second division) side pull off an historic victory.

Speaking to the media after the game, Hunt refused to use rotating his squad as an excuse and claimed they should have won the game regardless of who was on the field of play.

"We gave people a chance tonight," Hunt told reporters. "Obviously, we had players under different circumstances and we have a long season still so it's important.

"We had players out there that should have been enough to win the game and they were given a chance but no excuses.

"We should have been good enough to win the game, we had enough opportunities and didn't take them."

Hunt said he had no regrets over starting Gabuza in defence and claimed he would do it again if given the opportunity.

"Well, you've got to try and play the situation and we did the right thing.

"Would I do it again? I'd do exactly the same thing again. We have to look after the team, the longevity and for the future.

"Players were given a chance and I must take the rap, but you've got to believe that players are good enough to do the job."

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