Benni has to infuse players with confidence
The Buccaneers’ attack this year is way better than the toothless unit they started the season with. Milutin Sredojevic and his technical team deploy an attacking trident without fixed roles. The three attackers are given freedom to swap positions, led by a striker who can also play as a supporting striker and wingers who can play on either flanks. Thabiso Kutumela, Justin Shonga and Luvuyo Memela showed how deadly they can be once they click in their demolition job of Mamelodi Sundowns. The absence of a genuine centre-forward means that the responsibility of leading the team is shared by three players instead of one, a burden that proved too much for Thamsanqa Gabuza. What they lack in physical presence, they make up for in speed. Bernard Morrison has seamlessly fitted into the picture after Kutumela sustained an injury. The unity is so strong that Pirates’ players dedicated their 4-2 win over Chippa United to Kutumela. There’s also Augustine Mulenga and Thabo Qalinge waiting in the wings which means that Sredojevic will not run out of options anytime soon. Steve Komphela has vehemently denied that Amakhosi are defensive, arguing they use the same formation as Pirates yet Sredojevic is never painted as defensive. The problem for Komphela is that Chiefs aren’t that aggressive in their attack which leads to their defence constantly having to bail them out and thus sees their job highlighted more than that of the attackers. The decision to field three centrebacks and utilise wingbacks has proven to be a masterstroke for Amakhosi though.
It surprised Mamelodi Sundowns, with Komphela showing his inventiveness by making the most of a dire situation with three defenders injured. Siyabonga Ngezana, Daniel Cardoso and Mulomowandau Mathoho were solid in that match, allowing Philani Zulu and Joseph Molangoane freedom to roam forward.
Teenage Hadebe and veteran Ramahlwe Mphahlele have since Mathoho and Ngezana.
Willard Katsande also drops back to form a strong four-man defence that’s hard to break down. And then there is Itumeleng Khune ... CAPE TOWN CITY coach Benni McCarthy has scored many goals in some of the best leagues in Europe. But, despite having performed with distinction all over the world, as a coach, he can do absolutely nothing when the team just cannot hit the back of the net. His playing days as a goal-getter of note are over and, while he can instruct, show and inspire, when the whistle blows, it’s up to the players.
City’s interminable quest for goals continues when they host Chippa United in a PSL fixture at Athlone Stadium tonight (8pm kickoff) – and the big question is: Has McCarthy managed to permeate his players with a few pointers on how to find the back of the net.
McCarthy, one of South Africa’s most-gifted marksmen, has cut a frustrated figure on the touchlines as his team slumped to four consecutive defeats over the last few weeks. It’s not that they’ve played badly, it’s just that they’ve squandered so many scoring opportunities.
So what information does McCarthy need to impart? Based on his own experience, what knowledge can he offer his players?
Well, he needs to impress on them that goal-scorers have attitude. They don’t think too defender replaced much in the penalty area, they just do what comes naturally. He has to stress to his men the importance of composure: steady, focus on what needs to be done, and stick the ball where you want it to go; don’t snatch at it, don’t rush and, above all, trust your instincts. He also has to infuse them with confidence – this is the key to scoring. Goals are missed by players all over the world, but the critical thing is to not let it bother you; don’t dwell on such misses, rather wait for the next opportunity and make the most of it. Importantly, don’t hide, accept the responsibility, and handle the scoring opening with confidence.
Because the big problem at City right now, with their current scoring crisis, is that everybody is afraid of the ball in the penalty area. Nobody wants to miss, nobody wants to grab the initiative and so, when players are forced into a scoring situation, they rush, snatch, fumble, and then, needless to say, they miss.
A few weeks ago, City were firmly in the race for the league title. After four losses on the trot – Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Wits and Baroka FC – they are now fighting just to stay in a top-eight position. McCarthy will be desperate to get his team back on track when they face Chippa – but, in order to do so, they’ll need to bring a more decisive cutting edge to their finishing.
Captain and central defender Robyn Johannes has watched his teammates flounder in front of goal, consistently squandering their scoring chances, and he has been just as frustrated as his coach. He is hoping for a change in fortune tonight.
“It’s another difficult game for us,” said Johannes. “Chippa’s never an easy team to play against. They are a good footballing team. We’ve been really unlucky lately, but we have to keep believing in our quality as a group and make sure we turn around this bad run we find ourselves in. It’s our home game and we have to give our all, as we always do, to ensure that we get maximum points.”
Meanwhile, in contrast, over in the other half of the Mother City, things are finally starting to look up. Ajax Cape Town were simply superb in dismantling SuperSport United 2-0 on Wednesday, and it certainly looks as if coach Muhsin Ertugral’s philosophy is starting to take shape. There was just so much to like about Ajax’s performance – and, while they are not yet out of the woods with regards to their log position, if they maintain this momentum a move up the league standings can’t be too far off.
“It’s a process, but I always knew this team had the capacity,” said Ertugral. “You could see it with the organised win we had over Orlando Pirates. As a coach, you have to start somewhere and, for me, it was about the defensive forms. Now, we are getting to the next level. You cannot just come out and play offensive football, it’s also about the positioning of the players, but SuperSport didn’t expect what we did in the opening of the game.”