Gavin Hunt bemoans Phili, Titus exits

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has lamented the departures of influential attackers Langelihle Phili and Devin Titus at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.

Phili signed for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in a high profile players-plus-cash deal that saw Given Msimango and Ashley du Preez move to the Cape Winelands outfit.

Titus, on the other hand, joined Moroccan champions MAS Fes on a three-year deal, linking up with compatriot and former teammate Tshegofatso Mabasa at the Botola Pro League side.

While he roped in Bradley Grobler and Sinoxolo Kwayiba during the off-season, Hunt acknowledges the attacking department is thin, prompting heavy reliance on Dstv Diski Challenge (DDC) graduates.

“My two biggest attacking weapons, Phili and Titus - Phili left a week after the first game, he did a whole pre-season and obviously Titus left after the second game,” said the Stellies boss.

"We played Polokwane City on a Tuesday night and then he left on Wednesday. So, we lost two big attacking weapons and in our first game of the season I had to play two DDC players in the two wings.

"So, it's been pretty much luckily. Obviously, with a lot of experience I can make a plan but at the end of the day it's not easy. We've got six or seven players who made their debuts this season.

Stellenbosch, meanwhile, are currently in seventh place on the Betway Premiership table, having accumulated 10 points from their first eight fixtures of the season.

Hunt and his troops return to action with a Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 clash away to Durban City, before a league encounter against Chippa United on Saturday, 31 October.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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