Wiser, more experienced Benni ready for MTN8 Final
CAPE TOWN – Now that Benni McCarthy is a wiser, more experienced coach, he has to accept that his job situation is prone to the same instability as other football coaches across the world.
The Cape Town City coach is preparing his team to face SuperSport United in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night (7pm) – and he was quick to admit that he wanted to win this trophy.
Last season, shortly after being appointed as City head coach, McCarthy steered the team to the final, only to be beaten by SuperSport on penalties. Now, in a repeat of last year’s finale, the former Bafana Bafana striker wants to go one better.
“The last time we got to this final, I was just about a month into my first job as a head coach," he said. "I was fearless then; now that I’m more settled and I have a year’s experience as a coach, I’m a bit more cautious. I realise that things can go wrong and I have to make sure that I plan for it.
As a coach, I’ve grown, I’ve learnt a lot; the team has also improved as we have a lot more depth than last season.
“Also when we got to the final last season, because I was a new coach, there was no chance of getting fired for losing.
Benni McCarthy speaks to the media at Hartleyvale on Tuesday. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
Now, though, I’m steady, there is stability – and I guess there’s every chance that the chairman could aim a shotgun at me if we don’t get over the line this time.”