McCarthy urges end to Majoro uncertainty
Benni McCarthy wants the contract situation with his lead striker Lehlohonolo Majoro made clearer sooner rather than later as he also bemoaned the effect of national team duty on right-back Thami Mkhize.
The Cape Town City coach axed Majoro‚ along with fellow striker Judas Moseamedi‚ from the match day squad in the 1-1 Premiership draw with Baroka FC on Tuesday night and hinted there had been a lack of commitment shown by both players in training.
McCarthy believes that Majoro may be affected by his uncertain future as his contract expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a return to Gauteng.
That meant a rare start for Letsie Koapeng on Tuesday, but he missed two fantastic chances to win the game for City.
“The reason Letsie was in the side is because he was the best striker I had over the threeweek period [of the international break]. In training, he was firing from all cylinders‚ so you can’t ignore the boy when he gives you that kind of commitment‚” McCarthy said. “Some people wait until it is two days before the game and then they come to life and expect to be in the side.
“But it doesn’t work like that and that’s why I have opted for Letsie instead of Major [Majoro] and Judas.
“I hope the Majoro issue can be sorted out quickly because I also want a clearer view of the players that I have at my disposal. I want players that are committed to the cause‚ to playing for the team‚ playing for me‚ playing for their teammates.
“Not half-hearted because he is uncertain if he is going to stay‚ is he going to go‚ it’s not good for the player either. So, hopefully, the chairman [John Comitis]‚ Majoro and his party can make a decision quickly.”
McCarthy also feels the two matches played by Mkhize for Bafana Bafana against Senegal in the World Cup qualifiers actually had a negative effect on the confidence of the fullback.
In the first in Polokwane, he scored an own goal in a 2-0 loss‚ before Bafana were beaten in Dakar 2-1.
Mkhize put in an errorstrewn display against Baroka‚ most unlike a player who has been excellent for the club in the past 12 months.
“He is one of those players who you usually know what you are going to get every game‚ he has that consistent quality.
“But today, he couldn’t place a pass‚ and he did not look the same player. It seems we have some bad luck with the national team,” said McCarthy.
“Aubrey [Ngoma] goes there and gets injured then Judas [Moseamedi] goes and gets injured too.”
City are next in action away at Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday. /