Benni now targets Chiefs
Chiefs key players hit by injuries
Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy had little time to savour his maiden cup final berth as he has been preoccupied with how best to reshuffle his team for the Kaizer Chiefs clash tomorrow (7.30pm).
“Once a winner always a winner, that’s what I’ve instilled in these guys. Five tests and we passed all five. They [Chiefs] better come prepared for a fight,” said the rookie coach after he guided the Citizens to the MTN8 final with a 2-1 second leg victory (3-1 aggregate) over defending champions Bidvest Wits on Sunday.
Against Chiefs in their Absa Premiership tie at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow, McCarthy intends to use his unpredictability in his team selection to keep his players guessing.
“We try to accommodate everybody. On Wednesday [tomorrow] against Chiefs, people will say why change a winning team, but we rotate the players to keep them as fresh as possible so that complacency does not creep in.
“They know it is going to be a different team. We have a squad with good players.”
McCarthy’s fiery temper has rubbed off in a good way
‘‘ Chiefs better come prepared for a fight
on the City players.
“The character of the side is a reflection of the manager,” said the 39-year-old.
He added: “I do not expect the world’s best football but they deserve all the praise; we are starting to have that winning mentality.”
McCarthy could add gasoline onto the combustible situation at Amakhosi, where coach Steve Komphela is under pressure after a winless start to the season.
Chiefs announced yesterday that goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has recovered from chest pains.
Amakhosi, however, have been hit by a spate of injuries to defenders Tsepo Masilela (ankle), Ramahlwe Mphahlele ( and Sibusiso Khumalo (both knees). Mphahlele will undergo surgery on Monday.