Pirates played us at the wrong time – City coach Benni McCarthy

by Graeme Jackson

Monday May 06, 2019. 13:00

Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy says Orlando Pirates were unlucky to play his team “at the wrong time”.

City dealt Pirates’ Absa Premiership title hopes a major blow this past weekend, holding the league leaders to a 2-2 draw at Athlone Stadium.

The result means Mamelodi Sundowns now have the chance to claim the championship ahead of the Buccaneers if they win both of their remaining matches in the coming days.

The City head coach, who used to play for Orlando Pirates and was part of their last title winning team in 2011/12, told SuperSport TV after the game: "I said it before, for me there's no emotions in football.

"My loyalty and my emotions lie with the team I'm coaching, that I give everything for.

"I sympathise with Pirates because I think they had a great season.

"But unfortunately they played Cape Town City at the wrong time. They had to be exceptionally better than us today.

"They got one more game to go. Anything is possible. In football you don't know what's going to happen."

The former Bafana Bafana striker credited both teams for an entertaining game.

McCarthy continued: "A great football match. It was an end-to end game. And for me it's just amazing to see the stadiums getting filled.

"Because this is the kind of football fans want to see. South African football is really on the up."