McCarthy: Morale low in Cape Town City camp ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns clash

Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy claims it will be difficult to motivate his charges following their disappointing exit from the 2019 MTN8.

The Citizens' hopes of defending the lucrative cup competition went up in smoke when they were stunned 2-0 by Polokwane City in a quarter-final match on Saturday.

City have now turned their focus to their upcoming Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches against local giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

McCarthy feels his players will need extra motivation when they take on the defending league champions Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.

"Now we can focus on the league, but it’s not like the league is getting any easier for us because we’ve got two hefty challenges coming up now," McCarthy told SuperSport on Sunday.

"One is on Tuesday already. You only getting over this disappointment now and how do you get yourself back into a fighting spirit to face the champions?"

The Mother City side will then host a high-riding Chiefs side at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, August 27.

However, McCarthy remains hopeful City can get positive results from their two massive clashes with the Gauteng giants.

"And then a week after that we are playing the team at top of the log at this moment in time, [Kaizer Chiefs]," he added.

"It ain’t getting easier and we didn’t help ourselves with the blow to our confidence. But we have survived in the past and we can get over this one as well."

The Citizens are still undefeated in the PSL this season, having started the campaign with a 2-2 away draw against Baroka FC, before defeating Stellenbosch FC 1-0 a home.