MTN8 jackpot
City players to share R4m
Cape Town City players will share R4m following their MTN8 success.
The Citizens beat SuperSport United 4-1 on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
Club chair John Comitis said it was policy that the players get half the prize money.
City bagged R8m for their win.
“We will go 50/50 with the players‚” Comitis said next to the players’ dressing-room moments after City’s triumph. “It has always been like that. “They put in their share and we put in our share.
“That’s how we usually do it‚ but the players weren’t even bothered about that at this stage.
“They are so happy to have the trophy in the cabinet – and that’s probably the most important thing for us and their careers.”
It is not clear what criteria will be used to divide the money among the players‚ but if it is an equal share‚ with their squad of about 30 players‚ they could each take home R130,000 subject to tax.
It is more likely‚ however‚ to be performance-based, with players who played more games set to get more.
Comitis also revealed his conversation with coach Benni McCarthy prior to the first whistle.
“The fans were behind us‚ hey. I sensed it and I said to Benni before he went out: ‘Listen‚ there are 34,000 people here and half of them are not sure who they want to support today‚’ ” he said.
“‘Give them a reason [to support Cape Town City] and go to each stand to greet everyone.’
“And he did exactly that – and you know you’ve got to think about these things.
“By the end of the game‚ I think we had the majority of the support in the stadium.
“Listen‚ it was painful to lose last year.
“We had our chances and I think [Saturday night] was even more‚ so it would really have been disastrous if we got nothing out of it.
“On the balance of chances‚ I think we had the better exchanges‚ so I’m really happy for Benni and the guys.”
McCarthy was dreading the possibility of a penalty shootout deciding the outcome of the final and was convinced that he would be condemned to losing a game his team were dominating as the match dragged on at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
But his fears proved unfounded.
“It was the most nerveracking football match I’ve endured‚” McCarthy said after winning a maiden title as a coach.
“I think last season was tough, but this one was worse.
“As much as we were trying to be positive and keep the guys energised and constantly telling them to believe‚ I don’t think any of us [on the bench] believed ourselves because of what happened last season.”
As in Saturday’s game‚ City had also dominated proceedings one year ago when the same two clubs also contested the MTN8 final in Durban, but SuperSport went on to take the title on penalties.
“By the looks of it‚ SuperSport seem pretty comfortable with taking us to penalties and relying on Ronwen Williams to win them the cup‚” he said.
“We all know he is a specialist in these things [shootouts] and rightfully so; he’s one of the top goalkeepers we have in the country.
“I was fearing we would go to penalties and to be honest‚ I thought: ‘Nah‚ if it’s penalties‚ we lose.’
“But now we have Peter Leeuwenburgh in goals and that gave us the edge.”
McCarthy said the new Dutch goalkeeper had studied the penalty-taking of the SuperSport players.
“Maybe he’s come from outside to teach us a thing or two‚” he joked.
Leeuwenburgh saved twice to ensure a 4-1 win in the shootout for City after a goalless draw in which McCarthy’s side dominated but could not find the net. They twice hit the woodwork and in the end were worthy victors.
McCarthy praised his players and their commitment and said he was delighted for them, as many were lifting a cup for the first time.
“These guys come to work every single day.
“They train and they want to improve.
“They want to better themselves and you see vast improvements every game‚” he said.
“We’ve kept up our integrity in believing that we can play through any team.
“In the end I thought SuperSport said: ‘You know what‚ we are fighting a losing battle.’
“And they ended up sitting back.
“I was disappointed that we didn’t finish the game off in the 90 minutes.” –