Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy has slammed the performance levels of forward Ayanda Patosi after he hauled the player off in the first half against Bidvest Wits.
The 25-year-old started the encounter against the Clever Boys but appeared to be lethargic and off the pace. As such, McCarthy took the unusual step of bringing off Patosi in the first half mainly due to gross under-performance.
The Citizens went on to win Wednesday's Nedbank Cup last-32 tie against the home side with the only goal of the game coming from debutant Matthew Rusike.
From playmaker Teko Modise's cross from the right, the Zimbabwe star got in between Bongani Khumalo and Buhle Mkhwanazi to nod home a superbly-placed header beyond Darren Keet inside the first five minutes.
Thereafter City withstood a barrage of attacks from Wits but still managed to hold out for the victory. Nonetheless, after the game McCarthy expressed his anger at the display given by Patosi in the first stanza.
He said: "I’d knock my head against a wall if I play s***, if I know I deserved to come off after 20 minutes.
"If you know your level and where you should be and you aren’t there, then you can’t really fight. But if it’s a fight you want with me then good luck!"