Gavin Hunt says he has a contract to honour at Bidvest Wits and he is consequently not available for the Bafana Bafana coaching job‚ should it become available.
Yet the coach was vague in his assertion that he could not be tempted away from Wits by an offer from the South African Football Association (Safa).
Current national team coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba is on thin ice with Safa for some glaring errors committed as Bafana failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations‚ culminating in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Mauritania in Nelspruit.
Hunt’s name is perennially linked to the Bafana job whenever it becomes available.
The three-time league winner with SuperSport United - from 2008 to 2010 - said he would have been available for the Bafana position had it become open in May‚ at the end of last season‚ when he was yet to renew his contract at Wits.
“It [my name] was linked the last time‚ and the time before‚ and the time before‚” Hunt said on Thursday.
He continued: “I can’t … I’ve got a contract and I’m very happy.
“You know my feeling on that – if there was anything to be done it should have been done in May.
“But anyway – no. I’m very happy and I will continue working here [at Wits].”
Asked if he was ruling out the possibility of being lured from Wits during this season‚ Hunt replied‚ vaguely: “No.”
Asked if he meant: No‚ he would not leave Wits‚ or No‚ he was not ruling out the possibility‚ Hunt said: “No‚ I’m here. I’ve got a game on Saturday.”
Wits meet Cape Town City in Saturday’s MTN8 semifinal first leg match at Bidvest Stadium.
The Clever Boys have finished third‚ third and second in the Premier Soccer League under Hunt.
Hunt signed a year's extension to his contract at Wits in June.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 