Stellenboscg FC's Chumani Butsaka celebrates his goal against Sekhukhune United.
Image: BackpagePix
Former Cape Town Spurs captain Chumani Butsaka’s star continues to rise at Stellenbosch FC, according to coach Gavin Hunt.
Butsaka, 24, signed from local rivals Spurs 18 months ago, was eased into the Stellies set-up by former coach Steve Barker, but has fast developed into one of Hunt’s mainstays since the veteran coach returned to Cape Town at the end of last year.
The winger, who was initially pursued by Kaizer Chiefs before his move to Stellies, was influential in the victory over the Amakhosi a month ago, and has now taken his game to the next level with his first goal for his new club.
After combining neatly with Devin Titus, Butsaka netted the all-important third goal in Stellies’ 3-1 victory over Sekhukhune United at Athlone Stadium on Friday evening to push the Western Cape team up to 31 points on the Betway Premiership table.
Although not quite certain of what Butsaka’s best position is as yet, Hunt is fully aware of the midfielder, who has two Bafana Bafana caps, quality.
“I thought Butsaka was excellent. I thought he was our best player. I thought he was excellent,” Hunt said after the Sekhukhune United victory.
“I played him against Chiefs. And he was excellent. He's a real good footballer. I don't know where he plays, but he's a good footballer.
“You know what I'm saying? I'm trying to square peg around the whole job again, you know? I'm trying to fit him in. But I thought he was excellent. I really did. And he took his goal well at the end.”
Hunt will be relying on all of Butsaka’s good qualities this week when Stellenbosch travel up to Pretoria to face a high-flying Mamelodi Sundowns outfit on Wednesday.
The Brazilians are enjoying a 10-game unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership and have just qualified for a second consecutive CAF Champions League final after eliminating Tunisian giants Esperance over the weekend.
“I mean, it's really difficult to play against that side because of what they've got. You know what I'm saying? We'll go there and try and put up some sort of, we'll put up a fight, that's for sure,” he said.
“You never know in football, you know? They could have one of those nights, they hit the crossbar five times, one of those types of things, but it'd be very difficult for us. I just don't know if we're there right now.
“You know what I'm saying? We will get there. I know that we'll get back there. We'll get this team back to where it was, I think.”