Wits beaten in Johannesburg
UEFA Champions League winner Benni McCarthy made the perfect start as an ABSA Premiership coach Friday when Cape Town City upset title-holders Bidvest Wits 1-0 in cold Johannesburg.
Lehlohonolo Majoro nodded the winner on 41 minutes against a dominant home team, who had a goal disallowed and a penalty saved during the second half of the season opener.
"It was not the prettiest game of football," admitted 39-year-old McCarthy, "but our first priority is to win matches and I am smiling.
"We did not come here to defend, but were forced to do so by the constant pressure from Wits. I knew we would get a few scoring chances and we took one.
"The effort from my boys was tremendous. It was a match where I needed hard workers prepared to put their bodies on the line and that is what they did."
McCarthy was part of the Jose Mourinho-managed Porto team that defeated Monaco 3-0 in the 2004 Champions League final.
He also played for Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, and his 32 goals in 80 internationals is a South African record.
Wits assistant coach Paul Johnstone said: "No disrespect to Cape Town, but we battered them for 85 minutes only to fail in front of goal."
Johnstone was deputising for coach Gavin Hunt, who had to watch from the stand as he is serving a two-match ban for swearing at match officials.
Majoro, who has played for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, broke the deadlock with a glancing header past goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs off a free-kick.
Wits centre-back Bongani Khumalo thought he had levelled early in the second half with a close-range stab, but a hairline offside decision went against him.
Lively Malawian substitute Frank "Gabadinho" Mhango won a debatable penalty before the hour, but his kick was parried to safety by Shu-Aib Walters.
"It was not the prettiest game of football," admitted 39-year-old McCarthy, "but our first priority is to win matches and I am smiling.
"We did not come here to defend, but were forced to do so by the constant pressure from Wits. I knew we would get a few scoring chances and we took one.
"The effort from my boys was tremendous. It was a match where I needed hard workers prepared to put their bodies on the line and that is what they did."
McCarthy was part of the Jose Mourinho-managed Porto team that defeated Monaco 3-0 in the 2004 Champions League final.
He also played for Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, and his 32 goals in 80 internationals is a South African record.
Wits assistant coach Paul Johnstone said: "No disrespect to Cape Town, but we battered them for 85 minutes only to fail in front of goal."
Johnstone was deputising for coach Gavin Hunt, who had to watch from the stand as he is serving a two-match ban for swearing at match officials.
Majoro, who has played for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, broke the deadlock with a glancing header past goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs off a free-kick.
Wits centre-back Bongani Khumalo thought he had levelled early in the second half with a close-range stab, but a hairline offside decision went against him.
Lively Malawian substitute Frank "Gabadinho" Mhango won a debatable penalty before the hour, but his kick was parried to safety by Shu-Aib Walters.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre