Share

Benni targets first Cup final as coach

Cape Town - Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City will both be close to full strength for Sunday's MTN8 second leg semi-final match in Johannesburg.

The game kicks off at 15:00 at the Bidvest Stadium, where the hosts will be bidding to come back from a 0-1 first-leg deficit. 

Neither club has any suspensions, but the visiting team will likely remain without long-term injury victim Aubrey Ngoma, while talisman and captain Lebogang Manyama departed for Turkey this week.

Meanwhile, the Students' exciting young striker Phakamani Mahlambi has signed for Egypt's Al Ahly.

Defending MTN8 and league champions Wits have made a poor start to the season - Gavin Hunt's charges have lost two and won one (a penalty shoot-out victory over Golden Arrows) of four matches.

Benni McCarthy's City side have won all four of their games but the former Bafana Bafana marksman feels it will boil down to the 90 minutes in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon rather than current form.

"This game is all about what we make of it," he said. "We will have to be focused, if not, then we are inviting trouble.

"I hope that the players are aware of it and that we go into the game with the right mindset and attitude. It's going to be (a) battle, that's for sure, and only the fittest will survive.

"We take a one-goal advantage into the game, but, if we want to come out on top, we will have to be 100 percent focused for 90 minutes, and we will need the determination, desire, and drive," McCarthy added.

Clever Boys boss Hunt is hoping his side can find their rhythm against the Citizens.

"People worry too much about the opposition at times. We have to worry about ourselves and defend better," Hunt said.

"Yes, we are concerned that the results haven't been there, there is no doubt. But we need to settle down a bit and try to get settled into the starting line-up.

"We just have to have a better concentration level."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE