Hunt demands improvement against Chiefs

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt wants to see a reaction from his players when they host Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

The Citizens were dumped out of the Carling Knockout last weekend following a 3-1 defeat to Richards Bay in the quarterfinals, having squandered the lead to be taken to extra time.

Hunt's side had also lost their last league encounter against AmaZulu (1-0) on 18 October after going unbeaten in their previous two outings, a 0-0 draw with Stellenbosch and a 3-1 win over Magesi.

City find themselves in a three-way tie with Polokwane City (6th) and Usuthu (7th) on 15 points and trail Chiefs (4th) by one in fifth position.

The Glamour Boys are also targeting a return to winning ways after a goalless stalemate with Siwelele on 22 October left them without victory in their last four outings.

Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef's side received a huge confidence boost after they qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages thanks to a 3-1 win over AS Simba on 26 October.

Amakhosi could actually climb above arch-rivals Orlando Pirates if they come out on top in Durban, with the Buccaneers only in action against Mamelodi Sundowns the following day.

WHAT WAS SAID

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt: "It's not a blessing in disguise (being eliminated from the Carling Knockout), we want to play more games. So, we're going to have a period now where we don't play for two weeks. It's disappointing, you want to play more. The more you play, the better.

"We just have to look at the next game. We know what we can do and what we can't do. We obviously need to look at a big game next week and we need to be better again."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Durban City - Trevor Mokwena will take confidence from his stunning strike against the Natal Rich Boyz, having hit the ball first time from range after running onto Saziso Magawana's square pass.

It was the 24-year-old winger's first goal since he opened his account against Siwelele as well as providing an assist for Letsie Koapeng in a 2-0 win on 16 September.

Kaizer Chiefs - Makabi Lilepo has struggled to rediscover his form from last season when he scored six goals in 15 league appearances for the Soweto giants after making the switch from Valenciennes in January.

The 28-year-old winger has gone eight games since opening his account against Stellenbosch on 10 August, although he did score in the 3-1 win over AS Simba last weekend.

Head-to-Head: (Last Five Betway Premiership Matches)

Matches - 5

Durban City wins - 0

Kaizer Chiefs wins - 4

Draws - 1