Benni McCarthy has called for more protection for his players as Cape Town City avoided an injury crisis.
City headed into last weekend’s MTN8 quarterfinal against Maritzburg United sweating on the fitness of four of their stars.
But after some rough tackling from the Team of Choice as City fought to a 1-0 win, they had two more players on the treatment table.
Skipper Thami Mkhize was sent to hospital after a clash of heads, while striker Siphelele Mthembu was forced off after a scissor tackle, with Thabo Nodada and Riyaad Norodien also needing the medical team’s attention.
Benni, however, had little sympathy for his manne in his SuperSport post-match interview, telling his players to “stop being babies”.
After the game, though, it seemed he had a change of heart.
He told the post-match conference: “I think it was just the frustration that the officials were waiting for someone to get a serious injury before they do something, and I think that is one thing that our game needs to step up.
“Why do we have a fourth official that sees everything and that doesn’t communicate to the referee?
“Because Shaka Zulu [Mthembu], tackled by [Rushine de Reuck], that was a career-breaking tackle and the player gets a yellow card!
“Mkhize was a freak accident but I think the Shaka Zulu one was a bad, bad, bad tackle.
“So those are little things about our game that needs improving, because when coaches try to get protection for their players then you get sent off and you get a three-match suspension, and you get fined.
“For what? For trying to protect your players?”
There was good news in midweek, however, as City prepare for Saturday’s PSL clash with Golden Arrows at Cape Town Stadium.
Targetman Mthembu was back in training on Tuesday, joining regular leftback Ebrahim Seedat who will boost a backline short of experience in the early stages of the season.
Inspirational rightback Mkhize has also rejoined the squad.
But the decision on his fitness will be made later this week over his availability for the Arrows game.