Benni and Co out to defend Cup
McCarthy’s men face a tough Polokwane side
“WE’RE in it to win it” – Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy was talking up his team’s chances of a successful defence of their MTN 8 crown at yesterday’s media day at Reddham School in Tokai.
The Citizens entertain Premiership rivals Polokwane City at Newlands Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off) with the winner progressing to the semi-finals.
“I’ve picked a strong side, one you’re likely to see start throughout the season ahead,” said McCarthy. “The goal is to retain our title. I see a Polokwane side that has nine players that played against us in the second round of the league last season, so I don’t see much changing from their side in terms of how they play.
“When they were last here they opted for a defensive approach and we battled to break them down. We will take another look at the video of that game and analyse it.
“They are a well-organised unit and had a decent last league campaign. This time round they won two on the bounce before losing their unbeaten run on Wednesday (going down 1-0 to Wits). From our side, I’m happy that we haven’t lost a game from two played.”
McCarthy isn’t fussed about another change in venue.
“It’s a factor not being able to play at our home ground Cape Town Stadium, or at Athlone Stadium, but we now get to play at Newlands for the first time and my team want to bring a storm to the pitch.
“They are professionals after all,” he said.
The coach welcomes back from injury influential midfielder Thato Mokeke and the versatile Abbubaker Mobara and both will be in the run-on XI. A couple of hearts will be broken when the team is announced, says McCarthy. It means changes to the side that beat Stellenbosch 1-0 in league action.
The Citizens will bank on their midfielders opening up Polokwane’s defence and paving the way for the frontline players to cash in. Yesterday’s practice at Reddham saw McCarthy’s charges working on their finishing skills.
“It’s something that I like to install because modern-day footballers don’t like to take the initiative,” McCarthy said.
“So If you don’t tell them to do it, or if you don’t do it with them, then they are never going to do it. So after practice I call out a few players out that I want, who I think can get better at it, and the ones that are good they can improve. There is always room for improvement for everyone. We haven’t had any player that has scored more than 20 goals in the last 10 years in our league. Scoring goals must not be a job, it must be part of you. If we can improve on that we will become a very solid outfit.”