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Josef Zinnbauer downplays Gavin Hunt's Soweto Derby inexperience

The two sides come up against one another for the first time in 2020/21 in what is expected to be an enthralling MTN8 semi-final first leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

While Zinnbauer had his first taste of a Soweto Derby earlier this year, he will be up against a new face in Hunt, who recently succeeded German tactician Ernst Middendorp.

While the four-time league-winner has never experienced a Derby first-hand, the Pirates mentor insists such experience is not necessary for someone of Hunt's caliber.

"They have a top coach, he have a lot of experience, he has won titles in this country. He led a top team [Bidvest Wits] last year and also fought for the title last season – he was close to [winning] the title," said Zinnbauer in the build-up to the match.

"And he knows my players exactly, some players were in his team last season and he knows them, he knows their style.

"But I think it's a neutral zone for both of us. He [Hunt] has a new squad with a very good game in the last game-day, and he's free for other things.

"But he has a lot of games in this country and he knows exactly what a Derby is; he's not a coach that has no experience, he has a lot of experience.

"Maybe he doesn't have Kaizer Chiefs against Orlando Pirates experience, but he have maybe other derbies in his life, and he has a lot of experience.

"I don't think anybody has an advantage in experience, it's a game-day and in such special games it's important that the players have a 100 percent focus, self-confidence and a game-plan to work towards.

"That's the thing that you have to find as a coach, and then it's always important that the players in the game implement what we want as coaches."

Kick-off is scheduled for 15h00.

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