Benni McCarthY (Gallo)

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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi says striker Benni McCarthy’s sending off against Maritzburg United hurt hurt the team.

Orlando Pirates lost their first league game of the season when they were beaten by two goals to one by Maritzburg United on Wednesday night.

Benni McCarthy opened the scoring for his team which saw the Sea Robbers go into the lead during the opening 45 minutes. However, the former Bafana Bafana striker turned from hero to villain after being sent off before for a second bookable offense which forced his team-mates to play the enitre second-half with only ten men.

Bucs assistant coach Tebogo Moloi did not travel with the team to Pietermaritzburg although he watched the game on the television. He said the McCarthy’s sending off hurt the team and if they finished the game with 11 men, there may have been a different outcome.

 "You know I don't travel with the away games. I only sit on the bench on home games but yes the Benni red card cost us the game. After his red card we did not play our normal game and that affected our performance.

 “Such things happen in football but we have to try and control them. It is still early in the season, we will have to come out of this disappointment and win games," the former Pirates midfielder said.