Durban City coach Gavin Hunt is hoping his side can ride the wave of “Carling Knockout Cup magic” as they prepare for a tough quarterfinal showdown against Richards Bay at the Mhlathuze Sport Complex on Saturday at 3pm.
Since the competition’s rebranding under Black Label, the tournament has built a reputation for upsets — a platform where smaller teams have shone brightest.
Stellenbosch FC and Magesi FC were the last two champions, lifting the trophy in back-to-back seasons despite being considered underdogs.
For Hunt, who has seen and won it all in South African football, that unpredictability is exactly what makes the Carling Knockout special.
“In South Africa, especially this cup, there’s a lot of smaller teams that have gotten through to the latter stages, and so we’ll see where that takes us,” Hunt said ahead of the tie.
The four-time league-winning coach knows that form and reputation often count for little once the knockout whistle blows. Hunt believes that the draw and matchday details are just as important as tactical preparation.
“The draw is always key for me in a cup competition — when you play and where you play, those kinds of details,” he explained.
“It certainly won’t be easy and we have huge respect for them (Richards Bay) for what they’ve done in the past two seasons. They’ve survived bad situations and have come good, and you have to give them credit for it as well.”
Richards Bay have developed a habit of rising to the occasion in domestic cups, with co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane stabilising the side since their promotion to the Betway Premiership.
The Natal Rich Boys are no strangers to gritty, disciplined football, and Hunt is under no illusions about the size of the task awaiting his newly promoted Durban City side.
“A lot of coaches will say this is one of the — not easy — but ‘better’ cups to win because it’s two or three games and you’re in the final, as compared to the Nedbank Cup which is a little bit longer,” Hunt added.
For Durban City, this is another chance to build credibility in their first season back in the top flight. Their run to the quarterfinals has already exceeded expectations, but Hunt insists his players aren’t just there to make up the numbers.
The veteran tactician has often emphasised the importance of mentality over experience, and that message has carried through his new-look squad.
Durban City have played with bravery and energy this season — qualities that Hunt hopes can carry them into the semifinal and keep their cup fairytale alive.
“You just have to take it one game at a time,” he said. “We’ll prepare properly, respect the opponent, and see where it takes us. But we want to make this competition count — that’s for sure.”
