Pitso: Hunt was my preferred choice

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane says new Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has his support but Gavin Hunt was the ideal candidate for the job.

According to Mosimane, the Bidvest Wits manager deserved a chance ahead of Baxter, who will return for his second stint as the South Africa national team coach at the end of the season.

The Students currently lead the Premiership by three points, with four games remaining - after Hunt's men recorded a 1-0 victory over the Brazilians at the Bidvest Stadium last week Monday.

"You know who my candidate was for Bafana Bafana‚" Mosimane told SowetanLIVE.

"Gavin Hunt should have been given a run before Stuart and Bra Shakes (Shakes Mashaba).

"Let him get a chance‚ you understand what I am trying to say. Hunt has done very well in the country and he is about to win the league.

"Honestly speaking‚ I thought he deserved to be given a chance and I would have supported him."

Despite the strong opinion about who deserved to succeed Shakes Mashaba, the Masandawana boss feels Baxter has what it takes to achieve success with the national team.

"I would support Baxter because I am a South African and I would like to see you guys (the media) go to the World Cup," said Mosimane.

"He is credible‚ he is the right one in terms of organisation‚ knowing the country. I am not talking about taking the team to the World Cup and Cup of Nations before‚ but I am talking about principles."