Return home nervy for Benni
BENNI McCarthy is nervous about making his return to his roots in the Mother City for Orlando Pirates' tricky clash against Ajax Cape Town tomorrow night.
The Pirates striker's first Absa Premiership encounter in his home town was "humiliating", with the defending champions handed a 3-0 defeat by Santos.
McCarthy, who has scored eight goals this season, said he was excited and nervous to be travelling to Cape Town for another crucial match in the Buccaneers' title chase.
The Urban Warriors will host Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium (8pm kickoff) and McCarthy, who grew up in Hannover Park, said a win for the log leaders would put them in pole position to lift the title next month.
"I am very nervous, Cape Town has not been pleasant to Pirates. I think we know what to expect but I am not going to find myself in a situation where we blow it," said the former Bafana goal ace.
"Last time I went home it was a disaster and Santos hammered us. Ajax should be wary of playing us because they will find a different Pirates with a different mindset." The defeat to Santos in March was Pirates' only league loss since Augusto Palacios took over from Julio Leal, who resigned. Pirates toppled Mamelodi Sundowns from the summit of the Premier League table for the first time since mid-December.
Ajax coach Maarten Stekelenburg admits there will be an element of revenge against the Buccaneers. Ajax were beaten to the title on the final day of last season by Bucs, while Stekelenburg is also still smarting from what he saw as an unjust result for his team when they lost 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium in November. - additional reporting by Nick Said
Benni McCarthy. Picture taken from www.fifa.com
Comments
Mygirl
Ajax should be wary of playing us because they will find a different Pirates with a different mindset."@ Bennie I like your positive attitude u r now a champ tse ntshoooooooooooooo..!!!
UP THE BUCS
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SKIZOBANTWANA
Ayeye Ajax.. we need these 3 points whole-heartedly, and i guarant-damnnn-teee that bounce back to JHB having accomplished that.Bathi BUCS T!LL I D!E !!!
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Shorts
There is nothing that will stop us form getting the three points not this time of the season.UP THE BUCS
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MissBhakajuju
Bucaneer 3 - Ajax 1, we can't afford a draw again.Up the Bhakaniya Tribe.
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Soshangaan
All we need now is Win, Win, Win and win for the remaining games, hope all the players aware of that. Up the Bucs, Up the Ghost, Ezimnyamangekani, Ezikamagebula ezigebul'umhlaba ka masipala. Ayeye Ajax ayeyeReport Abuse
Phunyukabemphethe
Definitelya win match for Bhakashushu and Amakhosikazi Amahle aka ZimZebra FC will stop SSport on Saturday. On 1May, I hope and believe to send them packingUp Bucs Waya Waya
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Westkanjalo
thina mabhakhaniya la EKAPA will be out in our numbers 2 watch FOOTBALL 101 THAT WAS MASTERED @ THE UNIVERSITY OF ORLANDO... 3 pirates 1 ajax (consolation goal) mind you we are not playing to win the title we are defending it after friday ama bhakhaniya azobe ejabulile UP DA BUCS TIL SUNFLOPS & ZEBRA STRETCHMARKS WIN A TREBLE !!!Report Abuse
Rattex-cannot-be-blocked
Go to your favourite restuarant in CT Fatty Boom Boom and do what you do best. You wont be nervous after that.Report Abuse
Dieheart
We are definately going to win this one as the players are now aware that any slip-up will ruin our chance of winning the league. By Friday night, ladies and gentlemen, the mighty Buccanners will still be at the submit of the log with 51 points! You hear that sunflops and the zebras!Sea thug 4 life!
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Budapat
Pirates 1 vs Ajax 0 - anyone for a bet?Report Abuse
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