Bidvest Wits will use ageing Steven Pienaar wisely, says Gavin Hunt

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt admits he will have to be cautious in his approach with former Bafana Bafana captain Steve Pienaar.

“I have to handle Steven carefully. I have to be clever with him because he knows football. He is an experienced player, and my job is to get him there,” Hunt told the media.

Pienaar, who is 35, is a big signing for Wits given his pedigree following his release from English side Sunderland AFC at the end of last season.

“We have to make sure we get him fit and keep him healthy,” he said.

In addition to Pienaar, the other new arrivals at Wits are Slavko Damjanovic, Bokang Tlhone, Kobamelo Kodisang and Daylon Claasen.

The Clever Boys will get their season underway as the MTN Top 8 Cup champions when they welcome Golden Arrows in a quarter-final clash next week Friday.

“A club of our size needs to value every single match and treat it like a cup final. The match against Golden Arrows will be highly competitive, and we certainly need to play with a positive mindset,” he continued.

As part of their league success, the Students will also get to compete in the Caf Champions League next year. The tournament is scheduled to be played between August, 2018 and May, 2019.

“It’s fantastic to see because it will now give us a better chance (of success). All the South African clubs have been affected (by the previous schedule) and you’ve got to commend clubs who have done so well,” Hunt stressed.

“I mean, to play on Wednesdays (in the league) and then get on a plane to go to North Africa it's difficult,” Hunt concluded.