SuperSport United coached Gavin Hunt is mystified by the fact that his side has lost home ground advantage in the newly launched MTN 8.

United, who won the league last season, will play Orlando Pirates away on Friday night.

'Matsatsantsa a Pitori' as champions expected to get automatic home ground advantage against 'Bucs' who finished eighth in the Premiership standing at the end of last season.

But the rules of the competition changed with the new sponsors. The cell phone giants have ploughed in over R400-million into the competition over the next five years.

The organisers decided a draw would be made to determined home ground advantage for the quarter-finals.

Said Hunt: "If you win the league or finish in the top four, those teams should get home ground advantage. It does not make sense to me to make a draw for home ground advantage for a top eight competition.

"It does not seem fair but I am not going to go on about it, we simply must get on with the game. We are more than ready to play Pirates anywhere."

Hunt will use the bulk of the squad that won the championship last season. But may have to play without former Bafana Bafana striker Glen Salmon.

Salmon did not train on Tuesday as he was troubled by a shin injury.

Said Hunt: "I am not sure at this stage whether Salmon will be fit by Friday. It is a case of wait and see."

But what is of concern is the fact that star striker Katlego Mashego has only trained four days with the squad during the six week pre-season training programme.

Said Hunt: "I am still trying to find the right combinations, especially in attack. I was looking to Mashego and Salmon as a strike force but the two have not had much time together.

"That goes for other combinations as well. I will be ready when the league kicks off on 30 August but now we will have to be up and running by Friday as it is important to do well in the new competition.

Hunt said the R8 million winner takes all prize was staggering. "The mind boggles with that sort of money at stake. But playing Pirates in an important pipe opener to the season is motivation in itself. It is going to be an interesting night on Friday."

Hunt has watched Bucs play in the Vodacom Challenge against Manchester United and Kaizer Chiefs and then watched Pirates lift the Telkom Charity Cup by defeating Amakhosi 1-0 in the final played at Mmabtho Stadium last weekend.

Said Hunt: "Pirates are also still settling down and working out their best combinations. But they have depth and could field three teams. But they can only play 11 against us. It is going to be interesting. I do not mind the underdog tag."

Hunt will be banking on his stalwarts, Daine Klate, Shane Poggenpoel, Elias Pelembe, Letladi Madbanya to sink the 'Buccaneers' who revived their fortunes in the Charity Cup after two defeats in the Challenge.

Sapa