Benni wants to win everything with City

The 39-year-old former Bafana Bafana striker was appointed as Cape Town City coach this week.

“City finished third in the PSL last season and that was an incredible achievement,” McCarthy told IOL.

“They were amazing and did a lot more than many would have expected. This team has already got something going, so, in looking forward, I want to add to that success.

“Firstly, we will definitely have to have a bigger squad because of next season’s participation in the Caf Confederation Cup. I’m not coming in to disrupt things, just tweak here and there, and bring in some reinforcements where needed.

“I just want to add on to the team’s success and get them to achieve even more. Most importantly, I want there to be competition for places among the players because that brings the hard work out in everyone.

“I still have to discuss with the chairman (John Comitis) how important the Confederation Cup ranks for the club. For me, on a personal note, I want to win everything. If we are capable of mounting a challenge on the continent, then I want to go for it. Every game is an opportunity to win, an opportunity to prove yourself.”

One aspect that always dominates discussions in local football concerns style, and how a coach sees his team playing. McCarthy, too, has been pestered with such questions; new to the coaching game, what are his objectives in this regard with City?

“The way I see my style of play is that I want my team to dominate games,” said the coach. “I know that there will be times when it will be difficult, when we are on the back foot, but even then I want my team to control the outcome of the game.

“Last season, you saw that City used the game plan of sucking in the opposition and then hitting them on the counter, so that already is a missile I have in my arsenal. But, importantly, I want to go toe-to-toe with the big teams who are comfortable on the ball and love to have possession.

“I want my team to play good football when they can, but I know that sometimes it will be tough, it will be ugly. It is during such times, though, that I still want them to get the result. Because, in football, it doesn’t matter how, it’s always the result that counts, it doesn’t matter how you get it.

“So I want variety – I want to play attractive football, but at the same time, I want the team to be just effective when they are on the back foot.”