Benni is full of praise for Zukile

CAPE TOWN CITY’s last three matches have not only shown that they can challenge for top honours, but also that the Citizens have a tiger in midfield in the form of Zukile Kewuti.

The midfielder from Nyanga faced a baptism of fire against defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus when he was thrown into the lions’ den in place of Teko Modise.

The lions, Hlompho Kekana and Andile Jali, devoured him and Thato Mokeke in the Brazilians’ 3-2 win two weeks ago.

But McCarthy kept faith in the tireless Kewuti. He gave him 90 minutes against Wits in Braamfontein and Kewuti held his own against the league champions from two seasons ago.

His crowing moment though was his display in the second half against Sundowns in City’s 2-1 win at Athlone Stadium last week.

Kewuti started slow, but found himself in the second half and literally devoured the self same lions that had him for dinner at Loftus a week earlier.

City coach Benni McCarthy was full of praise for Kewuti. “He has a good engine and is a box-to-box (player). He might not have the quality that a lot of the players in the league possess, but it’s almost impossible to beat someone who doesn’t quit. And that’s what he gives us … Maybe people might say that the occasion was too big for Zuki, but I didn’t think so. I thought that his first touch was letting him down, the ball got stuck on his legs. He comes from the Diski (Challenge), he doesn’t know better,” McCarthy said.

“Now he is playing in big games. I gave him confidence. I said to Zuki, ‘Relax boy. Don’t listen to people in the stands calling for changes. I played one season at (Orlando) Pirates, so I don’t know this culture of whistles and calling for changes, and when that happens you change. I am the boss, not them! You listen to me. Out there, I tell you. Keep pushing. You’re going to run them into the ground. Their legs are running out, and that’s when you are going to have joy.’ He didn’t drop his head and kept pushing.”

And the result was an impressive performance that did not only help City gain sweet revenge against Sundowns to stay in the running for the league title, but also a big statement by Kewuti that he is definitely deserving of promotion to the senior team.