Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has provided an update on his squad ahead of Sunday's Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final against AmaZulu, with Bafana Mthethwa and Lateef Kazeem among the players who have returned to training.

The Cape Winelands club will host AmaZulu at the Danie Craven Stadium as they look to secure a place in the semi-finals of the competition. Hunt will be hoping to have more options available after his team struggled with several injury problems during the opening stages of the season.

Stellenbosch have had to deal with the absence of a number of players, which has affected the depth of the squad. However, there is some positive news for the coach, with Mthethwa and Kazeem returning to the training ground ahead of the important cup encounter.

Their return could provide Stellenbosch with additional options, although Hunt has indicated that they may not be ready to start the match. The coach is nevertheless pleased to have more players available as he prepares his team for a difficult challenge against AmaZulu.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Hunt confirmed that the two players had returned to training and could potentially be involved in Sunday's encounter.

"Ja, one or two trained, back at training like Bafana Mthethwa, Kazeem," Hunt said.

He explained that their return had brought some encouragement to the squad, particularly because Stellenbosch have been short of options in certain positions.

"There's one or two back again, so that gives us a little bit of hope, but obviously I don't think they're going to be ready to play, but they certainly can come into the squad and give us a bit more depth in our squad," he added.

Hunt also admitted that squad depth has been one of the biggest challenges for Stellenbosch this season. He believes the number of unavailable players has made it difficult for the team to reach the level they want.

The coach also pointed out that AmaZulu have generally enjoyed better availability of their regular starting players, with only a few exceptions.

"And I think that's something that's really hurt us a little bit since the start of the season: our depth in our squad. We've missed a lot of players, and if you compare it to AmaZulu, they've had their sort of best 11 out most of the time, bar one or two," he explained.

Despite the encouraging news, Stellenbosch will still be without Mosa Lebusa and Genino Palace for the quarter-final. Hunt confirmed that both players remain unavailable and will not be part of the squad for Sunday's match.

"So ja, we are getting one or two back, but there is still one or two out of the picture still, like \[Mosa\] Lebusa; he hasn't played, and Genino Palace hasn't played, so they won't be available on the weekend," he concluded.

Stellenbosch will now look to make the most of the players available as they prepare for AmaZulu. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, Hunt will need his team to deliver a strong performance despite the remaining injury concerns.

The quarter-final will be played at the Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday evening, with Stellenbosch hoping to use their home advantage to progress in the Carling Knockout Cup.

Source: IDiskiTimes