He now assists Hunda at the Gabane side. "Last season, we had so many injuries and now that I am not going to have Shoes (Motlhabane) in the near future, it means that we need someone with leadership qualities, who can direct young players especially when we are under pressure. Pio's contribution has been immense in the past and most players look up to him. He has been getting us goals as well," Hunda said.
The Zimbabwean tactician conceded that Motlhabane's long lay-off due to a knee injury has cost the team a great deal and that in his absence he has been forced to field some players in positions they are not familiar and thus compromised their effectiveness.
"I have been playing one guy in Shoes' position and he tried his best but obviously there were some areas where he is still lacking. Shoes and Pio are experienced players with good communication skills and leadership qualities. Shoes is not only good in defence, he attacks very well and he can score goals. He has even done it with the national team," he said.
Motlhabane is to go for another operation next week and is only expected back at training in three months' time. His long absence has not only affected Santos but the Zebras. Hunda said that it was not only Shoes' injury that affected Santos during the past season. "We had just too many problems. Just when the team started doing well after I took over, my top striker Thato Siska got a knock and we had to play without him. I thought losing him and Shoes was enough as things went from worse to worst with more injuries. The situation was compounded when Pius Kolagano went for trials in Cyprus and then the goalkeeping department also suffered because it was at the same time that Thabo Ntsiapane was getting married," he said.
Hunda added that Motlhabane was frustrated but he advised him to remain hopeful. "He always felt bad that he could not help the team. When we were not doing well, you could just see the pain in his face. But because I valued his experience, I did not throw him away because he was injured and I brought him into the technical team and he helped me a lot," he said.
