We deserved the three points - Benni McCarthy

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Dec 20, 2017. 11:00

Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes his side were full value for the 1-0 win they claimed over Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.

The Absa Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium saw the Cape side claim a narrow victory thanks to Nana Akosah-Bempah’s first-half strike.

The three points took the Citizens up to second place on the log table and ended a strong run of form for ‘Downs.

"I have to give credit to my boys for not going into the game already thinking about the holiday,” McCarthy told SuperSport TV cameras after the match.

“They went out there and they were brave. We knew we were going to have our backs against the wall because Sundowns is a fantastic footballing team.

"We frustrated them in the areas we wanted. They knew what the game plan was and it worked to the tee.

“We could have had more than one if we had taken our chances but you can't fault the effort. I have to commend the Sundowns fans for what I'm seeing here. What a spectacle of South African football.

“Now I can happily say a happy Christmas for what we're seeing here today, to them and all the South African fans.

"We had a pressing zone where we came out not to allow Hlompho Kekana and [Tiyani] Mabunda to get on the ball as easily and be able to pick out those passes.

“The whole team really worked hard for each other. I think we are the deserved winners of the three points inasmuch as Sundowns had the possession.

“I think we were in control, they didn't hurt us in places they could have punished us so I'm very happy with the performance."