Big-stage jitters derail Citizens
Pirates give Benni lots to think about
Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy has bemoaned the stage fright his team suffered after back-to-back defeats against Soweto’s finest, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The Citizens lost 2-0 to the Glamour Boys and 1-0 to the Sea Robbers.
“We went up against two good football sides and it didn’t go according to how we hoped. You learn and try to correct the mistakes because not every team we face will be as good,” McCarthy said.
“[We were] playing two of the biggest teams in the country and I think the boys did incredibly well. They held their own.”
The two losses brought City crashing back down to earth after opening the season with a winning streak of five games.
What will be more of a concern for the rookie tactician is their failure to get on the score sheet in either encounter.
Up against his former employers, McCarthy felt his team let the Buccaneers off the hook.
“I still thought they were there for the taking because we did our homework very well, but maybe big moments like this affect players,” said McCarthy.
“If you play for the big teams you get this every week, but if you are a player not used to playing on the big stage and you come up against Pirates, Chiefs and [Mamelodi] Sundowns, some players do get taken by the moment. We had chances but unfortunately we just could not score.”
The mini-slump in form for the Citizens is the first real test for McCarthy, who will be required to show character with a response in their next match against Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (8pm).