Cape Town City are underdogs says coach Benni McCarthy

In his maiden season as a coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Benni McCarthy is set to lead Cape Town City to their second cup final in one season.

A win over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday night will seal a spot in the quarter-finals, thus taking McCarthy’s men closer to the final of the competition.

Ahead of the encounter set for the Cape Town Stadium, the former Pirates and Bafana Bafana striker says they are underdogs against the high flying Buccaneers.

The Citizens lost out to MTN8 Cup champions, SuperSport United in the final last year and are fresh from a trip to Mozambique against Costa Do Sol in the Caf Confederation Cup last Wednesday.

On the other hand, Milutin Sredojevic’s men are well rested after beating rivals, Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 in the league a week ago.

“I think we are very much underdogs and that gives us a bit more ease to play our game‚ execute our tactics and how we are going to set up against them‚” McCarthy said to the media.

“We can play with freedom because everybody will be looking to see how far Pirates can take this run in the Nedbank Cup. We are the team standing in their way and so hopefully the boys can get into the game. The weather is playing an awesome part‚ so that is good for us,” he added.

The 40-year-old coach was not available for their clash in Maputo as he was in Europe to attend UEFA coaching classes, but will be available to meet his former bosses, saying they will do well against the Soweto giants.

He also said that National First Division neighbours, Ubuntu Cape Town, have written an inspiring story in the competition after beating top tier outfits, Polokwane City and AmaZulu.

“We will try and play well‚ play to our plan and if things go accordingly and we get past this stage‚ a nice Ubuntu next round tie would be amazing. A Cape derby,” added the former Celta Vigo forward.

“If you look at the teams that have gone through‚ the Ubuntu story is one that inspires us because you see them doing the business. Two more games and then you find yourself in a final‚ so it is everything to play for and everything to gain,” he concluded.