Let me try again: McCarthy will win the final on Saturday
ON THE BALL WITH STIGA
When it comes to predictions, I have been rather dismal this season! But if I can make a prediction, it is that Cape Town City and Benni McCarthy will win the MTN8 final against SuperSport United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
A final is simply about who wants it more. Success is addictive. The financial rewards also play a big part. With the prestige, you don’t realise it immediately, you only understand that later. What really counts is not to be over-awed. SuperSport have that experience, they have the composure, but if City can contain them early on I think they can sneak this one. That is my prediction.
City have tasted cup success in winning the Telkom Knockout in 2016, and the disappointment of losing last year’s MTN8 final to SuperSport, they will be determined to make it right. If Ayanda Patosi can find a bit of form, he can be instrumental. We have seen him come into form of late, so my prediction is for a City win, but we are in for some good football.
SuperSport have guys like Thuso Phala, who may not have had the best start to the season, but when it comes to finals it brings players together. He is just as important as guys like Dean Furman, and Clayton Daniels, these players are key men for SuperSport.
SuperSport certainly have the possibility of taking the title of cup specialists from Kaizer Chiefs (Matsatsantsa have won or at least reached the final of a lot of cup finals in recent years). SuperSport are no strangers to finals, they are scoring freely, while playing good football. That is always a bonus, going into the final on the back of a victory (SuperSport thumped Black Leopards 4-0 on Tuesday).
City are not coming off the best results (in the league), they are licking their wounds a bit, but that could turn out in their favour.
SuperSport have good combinations, and should have a fully-fit team – they took Furman off the other day because he was on three yellow cards. Fagrie Lakay is coming to the party, coming off the bench or starting.
The formation is working, sometimes Evans Rusike plays off the wing and comes inside, and plays close to Bradley Grobler. That gives Aubrey Modiba the freedom to attack, but that can also be to their detriment, we saw how Orlando Pirates easily got down one flank of SuperSport.
City have the ability to go down the flanks, that is their strength, though they can also play down the middle now with Patosi, and with Matthew Rusike and Siphelele Mthembu fighting for that No 1 striker’s spot.
I don’t know much about Benni McCarthy’s situation (his wife Stacey is recovering in hospital after suffering a collapsed lung). But it is obviously a serious one, and I am sure the team will play for Benni, I am sure he will be a part of the final, if there is anything to judge Benni by he is a coach who loves the game.