DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 27, AB de Villiers of South Africa walks off after being dismissed for 50 runs during day 2 of the 2nd test match between South Africa and England from Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on December 27, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images
Photograph by: Gallo Images
Credit: Duif du Toit

Santos, Downs are the biggest threat

That's 30 points from a possible 39. That would see the Pretoria side finish their campaign with 66 in total. But, with their current form, who can fault Hunt's confidence in his men?

They got the ball rolling last week when they beat Maritzburg United 3-2 in the first of the 15 second-round games. That was followed by a gutsy display against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night - a solid 2-0 victory.

Although, Matsatsantsa a Pitoli, as Supersport are known, could probably win the title with a lesser total than the one Hunt has set his sights on, the former Moroka Swallows coach is taking no chances.

Last season the team needed 55 points to take the PSL crown, but were pushed to the end by Orlando Pirates. Both sides finished the season on the same number of points, but Hunt's men had a superior goal difference.

The coach is not getting carried away just yet.

"There's still a long way to go," he said.

"We still have 13 games to go before completing the league. So we are keeping our feet on the ground, but I think 10 wins out of the remaining games should [win the league] for us. And, having said that, I think we are in a good position."

Supersport's surge to the summit of the PSL table has also been encouraged by the sluggish performances of teams such as Pirates, Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, who dropped points when they could have caught up with the defending champions. They are now seven points clear and, so far, Hunt reckons only Santos and another Tshwane-based side - Sundowns - can catch them.

"I rate Santos highly," said Hunt. "They are a top-notch side at home and have shown they can win on the road. To me, they are the biggest danger."

The People's Team are third on the log and eight points adrift. Ajax Cape Town are second.

Hunt also pointed out that Sundowns are starting to come good under Bulgarian coach Hristo Stoichkov.

"They [Sundowns] have the best squad in the league and are capable of putting a strong run together," he said.

ý Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has all but given up on the title chase after his side's defeat to Supersport. The Serb conceded that an 11-point gap was too much to cover. He said he would ring the changes in their next game against Wits on Sunday, but could only hope for a miracle if Chiefs are to win the league.

Some of Supersport's remaining league games

vs Celtic (home)

vs Ajax Cape Town (away)

vs Sundowns (home)

vs Moroka Swallows (away)

vs Golden Arrows (away)

vs Pirates (away)

vs Santos (away)