McCarthy: This AmaZulu team will go down in history

Tercious Malepe of Amazuluand Sudi Bibonge of TP Mazembe FC compete for the ball during the 2021 CAF Champions

Monday Oct 25, 2021. 14:00

AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy hailed his team after knocking DR Congo giants TP Mazembe out of the CAF Champions League this past weekend.

The South African club, making its debut in the CAFCL, earned a spot in the group stage at the Ravens’ expense after their second round preliminary tie ended 1-1, with Usuthu advancing on the away goals rule.

The first leg in Durban on October 15 ended 0-0, with the return game in Lubumbashi this past Saturday producing a 1-1 draw: AmaZulu led through Bongi Ntuli and Mazembe only managed a late equaliser through Adam Bossu Nzali.

“Sometimes I’m a tough coach and a tough father figure, but this is because I want the best for my players. I think they need to be more focused and concentrated, because you cannot have the quality that we have and then be mediocre,” McCarthy said, as quoted by IOL.

“When I’m critical of my team, it’s because I don’t want them to lower their standards. I want them to realise that they have a short career but must make the most of it.”

McCarthy added, “[On Saturday] I saw heart and personality and arrogance. I saw a group of players that were not afraid mentally. On the eve of the game, we had negative Covid-19 tests before Tapelo Xoki was unlucky.

“We launched a complaint before he was allowed to play ten minutes before kickoff. For our team to go through a lot and batter Mazembe was incredible.

“It was also the first time we played on astroturf. These players will go down in history for what they did today, beating the five-times champions of Africa.”

AmaZulu will turn their attention back to domestic league action with a clash against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday 27 October.