Ambitious Nana inspired by Benni’s example, class
Pitso: The most experienced team will prevail in PSL title race
CAPE TOWN CITY’S young stalwart Nana Akosah-Bempah says he relishes the opportunity of being coached by Benni McCarthy on a daily basis. McCarthy is the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 31 goals, and the only South African to have won the Uefa Champions League.
McCarthy won the Champions League in the 2003/2004 season with Portuguese outfit Porto, and at the time he was coached by Jose Mourinho. The 40-year-old is in the first season of his coaching career. However, the former Orlando Pirates striker has already shown glimpses of maturity as a coach as he’s already led his charges to their first MTN 8 final and they currently sit sixth on the log standings; trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by 13 points after setting a blazing pace.
“Coach McCarthy is very important in my career,’’ Akosah-Bemph said. “Every day is a new day to learn from him and improve as a striker. He has first-hand experience of what it takes to go far. It’s really been wonderful to work with him.’’
The 20-year-old is a product of the Mpumalanga Black Aces’ youth structures. He was promoted to the first team in the 2015/2016 season by then coach Mushin Ertugal. He spent the second half of the following season at Cape Town All Stars.
Since his return to the club (now CapeTown City) this season, he’s netted one goal in 10 appearances. The Delaware-born player says playing in the same team with the legendary Teko Modise has also had a massive impact on his football.
“He’s been brilliant,’’Akosah-Bempah said of Modise. “He’s a very good leader. He often helps us as youngsters to improve. We can watch and learn from someone who’s been there and done it; it’s really an honour and a privilege to play with him.’’
Akosah-Bempah has been in South Africa for over 10 years since arriving from the United States (his parents hail from Ghana). Furthermore, he’s yet to feature for any of the three countries thus making him eligible to represent any national team of his choice. Having recently played in the Caf Confederations Cup with the Citizens before they were eliminated by Mozambique’s Costa do Sol, Akosah-Bempah insists that even though that period was short, it was an eye-opener.
“Playing in Africa was a wonderful experience,’’ he said. “To get a taste of football in other countries, it was something I really enjoyed.It’s a pity we didn’t go further but we will always live and learn.’’
With just four games left in the league, it’s every man for himself as everyone has their own targets to reach. The bulky striker suggests that they’ll play for maximum points in these remaining matches.
“We need to finish higher than we are at the moment; in a respectable position.”