Cape Town - The Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy was caught on TV saying what looked like: “Jou ma se ****, you f****** stupid” to an Ajax player as he charged out of his technical area at Cape Town Stadium.
The Bafana Bafana legend explained that his controversial reaction was directed at Isaac Nhlapo who fouled his player Teko Modise during City’s 2-0 win.
Video clips of the incident have gone viral on social media and people are already calling the notorious Cape Flats phrase “a Benni McCarthy”.
The Champions League winner has since admitted he didn’t set a good example, but claims he was provoked.
McCarthy says: “There were a couple of nasty incidents where I think I also overreacted a bit.
“But I’m one of those guys I always say a team is a reflection of its manager. I’m a passionate guy from Cape Town, and if people want to bully my players, I’m the first one to stand up for them.”
McCarthy explains that he was concerned about Teko’s fitness. The midfielder had just come back from injury and the boss wanted to have him available for the 14 October MTN8 final against SuperSport United.
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The 39-year-old adds: “It was just the emotions of the game - sometimes it happens. But I was just concerned about my player as he had just come back from injury and I know how hard he had worked to get back on the pitch.
“And for someone to just snap at him out of anger, and risk him not playing in the upcoming MTN8 final would mean I would be stuck with a problem of losing a key player, so that is why I reacted the way I did.”
Benni McCarthy, Cape Town City coach lets rip at Ajax's Isaac Nhlapo during iKapa derby. P
icture: Bheki Radebe/ANA
The Daily Voice has attempted to contact the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to ask whether McCarthy will be disciplined for his rant, but they have not yet replied.
City confirmed that the PSL has not contacted them over any disciplinary action, nor do they expect it.
McCarthy’s swearing sparked debate on the Daily Voice’s Facebook page, with many defending his foul-mouthed outburst.
Rodney said: “When Mourinho swears, do we kick up a racket. NO but because he’s one of our own, it’s an issue. Move on and get over yourselves.”
However, Tazneem disagreed: “Disgusting. Youth look up to this guy. You can take him overseas, but you can’t teach him to have passion without being so rude.”