Benni to analyse City vs Basel match at the Etihad as part of his studies
AYANDA PATOSI has had a tough time of it since signing for Cape Town City in June last year. The 25-year-old from Khayelitsha returned home after six years in Belgium with Lokeren, but battled with his physical conditioning. As a result, he struggled for game time.
City coach Benni McCarthy is a stickler for industry and commitment and, with Patosi not in great shape, the player regularly found himself out of favour. The attacking midfielder was placed on a special diet and training regime to get back to match fitness and improve his physical condition. It has taken a while, but it’s finally starting to look up for Patosi again.
On Friday night at Athlone Stadium, with the Cape side desperate to snap a four-game losing streak, he produced a stunning goal to inspire his team to a 2-0 win over Chippa United.
City are back in action on Wednesday when they are in Mozambique to tackle Costa do Sol in a Caf Confederation Cup first round, first leg tie (7pm kickoff) – and Patosi is keen to maintain the level of form he is now starting to deliver.
“I’m very happy for Patosi,” said McCarthy. “It has been a real struggle for him this season. But he’s worked hard. I took a gamble on him against Chippa, but he rewarded the team; he showed his qualities. He gets on the ball and he makes us play. He’s also got goals in him – hopefully he can kick on now.”
McCarthy will miss this week’s Caf fixture, with the team being prepared by assistant coach Vasili Manousakis. The former Bafana Bafana striker has a Uefa A Licence, but is in the process of completing a Uefa Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in Europe.
He will be in England this week to complete the next instalment of the course, which will include attending the Manchester City versus Basel Champions League game to do a match analysis.
Before jetting off today, though, he is likely to leave Manousakis with some idea of how he wants to approach the match against the Mozambicans. City have always rotated the squad for inter-continental club games and this should be no different. Patosi, though, will definitely come into contention for selection again.
Meanwhile, at the weekend, three lower-tier Mother City sides have an opportunity to hog the spotlight in the round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup. Second Division Steenberg and First Division teams Ubuntu Cape Town and Stellenbosch FC all face top-flight PSL opponents, but this Cup competition has a reputation for surprises.
Ubuntu are first up when they are in Durban to take on AmaZulu on Friday and then, on Saturday, Steenberg have a tough trip to Polokwane to play Baroka FC, with Stellenbosch having to face the mighty Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
City’s Nedbank Cup clash against Orlando Pirates is scheduled for next Wednesday at Cape Town Stadium.