MOROKA Swallows coach Gavin Hunt has expressed interest in Ramblers duo Victor Helu and Henrico Botes after watching them play in the final match of the Tafel Lager NFA Cup on Saturday.
Ramblers beat Black Africa 5-3 on penalties to take the cup for the first time since Independence. Hunt said he was interested in the players, but did not make a commitment of signing them, only saying that they he would make provision for them to join Swallows for a few days for trials.Hunt said he was also impressed by Ramblers defender-cum-midfielder, Michael ‘Lazizi’ Pienaar, but did not indicate if he would take him up.He told The Namibian Sport in a brief interview after the Saturday match that his side already had three foreigners, but he is considering adding at least one more.Only five foreigners are allowed per team in the South African premiership.He said he liked the way Ramblers midfield dynamo Quinton ‘Magic’ Jacobs, who has lost a lot of weight according to him, served his club on Saturday.Asked about the quality of the Namibian game in general, Hunt said he was happy to see that there was a lot of passion and discipline among the players.”I am really impressed by the way in which the players conducted themselves, especially in a cup game.Both teams stood a good chance to win and the quality of the game on both sides was not disappointing,” he said.He said with the Namibia Premier League (NPL) hoping to become professional with an envisaged 12 teams next season, the quality of the game could only improve.He said it was up to the players and the officials to take the game in the country a step further by running it on basic professional principles.Hunt has already secured the signature of Namibian defender George Hummel for next season, while Mohammed Ouseb, also a defender, was doing duty for the Parktown side last season.Asked about Hummel’s chances of making the starting line-up, Hunt said he was certain that the Namibian, who has not been active for over six months now, would make the first team.”He is a very good defensive player and I don’t see any reason why he cannot work his way into the first team.I know George has the ability to do that,” he said.Hunt left Namibia on Sunday.Hunt said he was interested in the players, but did not make a commitment of signing them, only saying that they he would make provision for them to join Swallows for a few days for trials.Hunt said he was also impressed by Ramblers defender-cum-midfielder, Michael ‘Lazizi’ Pienaar, but did not indicate if he would take him up.He told The Namibian Sport in a brief interview after the Saturday match that his side already had three foreigners, but he is considering adding at least one more.Only five foreigners are allowed per team in the South African premiership.He said he liked the way Ramblers midfield dynamo Quinton ‘Magic’ Jacobs, who has lost a lot of weight according to him, served his club on Saturday.Asked about the quality of the Namibian game in general, Hunt said he was happy to see that there was a lot of passion and discipline among the players.”I am really impressed by the way in which the players conducted themselves, especially in a cup game.Both teams stood a good chance to win and the quality of the game on both sides was not disappointing,” he said. He said with the Namibia Premier League (NPL) hoping to become professional with an envisaged 12 teams next season, the quality of the game could only improve.He said it was up to the players and the officials to take the game in the country a step further by running it on basic professional principles.Hunt has already secured the signature of Namibian defender George Hummel for next season, while Mohammed Ouseb, also a defender, was doing duty for the Parktown side last season.Asked about Hummel’s chances of making the starting line-up, Hunt said he was certain that the Namibian, who has not been active for over six months now, would make the first team.”He is a very good defensive player and I don’t see any reason why he cannot work his way into the first team.I know George has the ability to do that,” he said.Hunt left Namibia on Sunday.
