Gavin Hunt, the well-respected head coach of SuperSport United, has officially hit the remarkable milestone of 1,000 professional football matches, solidifying his legacy as one of the most distinguished figures in South African football. Recently, he shared reflections and anecdotes about his extensive career, showcasing his passion for the sport and the challenges he has faced over the years.
The milestone came as somewhat of a surprise to Hunt, who only learned of it two weeks prior. "I only found out about the milestone two weeks ago. But this came and goes. I’ve also done another three years in the first division, which obviously don’t count—that’s another 300-plus games easy!" he said during an interview with SportsBoom.co.za. This number highlights not only his commitment to the game but also his extraordinary experience coaching at the highest levels.
On the night of his 1,000th match, fate took a curious turn. During the game against Golden Arrows, South Africa's persistent load shedding crisis played its frustrating part. The light outages interrupted the flow of the match, cutting it short for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. "Load shedding in South Africa is frustrating... I was like, what’s going on here?" reflected Hunt. "We started well and scored early, but then the lights went out. It just breaks the rhythm of things." The game resumed only to see Golden Arrows equalize almost immediately after play restarted—a moment Hunt described as disappointing and anticlimactic.
Hunt's career spans more than 27 years and has involved coaching at nine different teams, during which he has earned numerous accolades, including four Premier Soccer League titles and four domestic trophies. When asked about his standout moments after such a long and storied career, he stated, "Somebody asked me this week what my standout moments were, and honestly, I don’t really know. Winning trophies stands out, of course, but it’s so difficult to win in football—there are so many competitive teams." His humble approach suggests he views success as part and parcel of the daily grind involved with coaching more than monumental milestones.
Despite his impressive collection of achievements, Hunt candidly shared his feelings about the addictive nature of winning. "Winning games gives me a kick, but... it only lasts 20 to 30 minutes after the match, then you’re onto the next game. For me, winning is like a drug; I need a fix every week. I was the same when I was a player," he expressed, shedding light on the relentless drive he possesses to succeed.
Reflecting on the broader South African football scene, particularly the prospects for local coaches internationally, Hunt remained measured. Although several South African players have made successful transitions to European leagues, he pointed out, "coaching opportunities remain scarce." He recognized Pitso Mosimane as someone who has paved the way for South African coaches abroad, particularly with his high-profile stint at Al Ahly, one of Africa's premier clubs. Hunt acknowledged, "Pitso has done a phenomenal job. Winning the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns helped him land the Al Ahly job, the biggest club in Africa." He added how Mosimane's multilingual abilities could potentially facilitate future moves to European clubs, showcasing the potential for expansion of South African talent on the global stage.
Hunt's assessment extended to the gender dynamics within South African football, particularly when questioned about the likelihood of women coaching men’s teams. While he supported the idea of women coaching at various levels and acknowledged their potential advantages, he remained skeptical about their presence at the top level of the PSL. "To be honest, I don’t see it happening. Maybe as an assistant coach, but I don’t think a woman will coach a men’s PSL side," he stated. Despite recognizing some barriers, he maintained, "I think women are
better coaches than men; they have more patience, they might explain things... But when it gets to men’s teams, I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon."
Despite the challenges he faces, including those related to load shedding and the gender representations within football, Gavin Hunt continues to bring his unique skills and enthusiasm to the sport. "Even with memorabilia, I have so much stuff, but I don’t even know where the majority of it is," he quipped, showing his lack of sentimentality but perhaps reflecting the constant forward motion of his career.
With 1,000 PSL matches under his belt and countless stories to tell, Hunt remains one of South African football’s most influential and passionate figures, embodying determination and relentless ambition. His career and insights reveal much about the challenges and triumphs of coaching, and as Hunt himself puts it: "For me, winning is like a drug I need a fix every week."