Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has warned his players not to underestimate Durban City ahead of their Carling Knockout Round of 16 encounter at Chatsworth Stadium, stressing that both teams have an equal chance of securing a place in the quarter-finals.

The two sides are scheduled to meet on Tuesday night, with qualification for the next round at stake. Hunt believes Durban City's physical strength and impressive record at their home ground make them a difficult opponent to overcome.

Speaking ahead of the match, the experienced coach acknowledged that Stellenbosch would need to deliver a strong performance if they hoped to progress in the competition.

“They’ve got a lot of power, a lot of strength, and generally their record’s been good at Chatsworth, so it’s not easy to go there, that’s for sure,” Hunt said, as reported by iDiski Times.

Hunt's comments underline the challenge facing Stellenbosch as they prepare to take on a Durban City side determined to make home advantage count. The hosts will be looking to use their familiarity with the stadium and the support of their fans to put pressure on their visitors.

Despite recognising Durban City's strengths, Hunt remains confident that Stellenbosch have a genuine opportunity to advance. He believes the outcome will depend on how both teams perform on the night rather than their reputations.

For Stellenbosch, maintaining composure, dealing with the physical demands of the contest and converting scoring opportunities will be crucial. Defensive concentration will also be important, as mistakes in knockout football can quickly prove costly.

Durban City, meanwhile, will be eager to continue their progress and take another step towards winning the Carling Knockout trophy.

The competition offers both clubs an opportunity to pursue silverware, making Tuesday's encounter particularly important. A victory would secure a place in the quarter-finals and keep their hopes of lifting the trophy alive.

Hunt has made his position clear: Stellenbosch must respect their opponents and prepare thoroughly for the challenge ahead. With both teams targeting qualification, the contest promises to be competitive, although the final outcome will be decided on the pitch.

https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2115453945111884017?a=OwXzGnvtpEBXXbBwtVc&s=19