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Hunt: Gould free to leave

Pretoria - SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has almost resigned himself to the prospect of losing captain Morgan Gould to one of the 'big three' sides in the country at the end of the season.

Gould, the 2009/10 Premier Soccer League Player of the Season, has been strongly linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs next season.

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, however, are two other potential suitors for the Bafana Bafana defender.

"If he wants to move then he can," Hunt said after training in Pretoria on Thursday, with Gould sitting on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury.

"What is important for us as the club is to try and keep our best players."

Despite guiding the side to three successive league titles between 2007 and 2010, Hunt has continuously had to deal with players being lured away by his better supported rivals.

In the last six years, the Pretoria outfit has lost the likes of Teko Modise, Katlego Mashego, Elias Pelembe, Daine Klate and earlier this season, Anthony Laffor and Thandani Ntshumayelo.

Former captain Bongani Khumalo made the high profile move to English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.

Gould, who joined United as a rough diamond in 2008 from then-relegated Jomo Cosmos, looked most likely to join the long exodus list in the Matsatsantsa a Pitori camp.

"Morgan is 29 now. We took him from nowhere to where he is now," said Hunt.

"Every season we always seem to produce and then lose our players.

"Look at the Sundowns squad and you look at Pirates, where some of their players came from us."

Thabo September saw the possible loss of Gould as a setback to the structures of the side.

September is likely to assume the captaincy duties should his central defensive partner make the move away.

"He's obviously vital for us as a leader of the club and we would like to see him stay," September said.

"But we know that players and coaches come and go at clubs.

"If he moves then it would be to better his career and look for another challenge away from United."

SuperSport are preparing to face AmaZulu in their Nedbank Cup semi-final in Polokwane on Sunday, as they continue their search for their first knockout trophy in seven years.

United, four points behind leaders Orlando Pirates with two games left in the Premiership season, also stand a slim chance of securing a trophy double since they remain in league contention.

"I want to win everything, even a five-a-side game," Hunt said.

"If we don't look to play to win then we should not be training.

"In the league we have six points left to play for, so anything can happen."

Hunt was wary of AmaZulu, the 2010 cup finalists.

"They have been playing well lately and have one of the best travelling records this season."


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