AmaZulu FC head coach Benni McCarthy was proud of his charges’ performance following their clash with Orlando Pirates on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu were narrowly beaten 1-0 by the Buccaneers in the Nedbank Cup Last 32match which was played at the iconic Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Gauteng.
It was an encounter that saw the KwaZulu-Natal giants being awarded a late penalty after Abel Mabaso was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the hosts’ box in the closing stages of the game.
However, Tapelo Xoki was unfortunate from the spot-kick as he was denied by Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who dived to his right to block the AmaZulu defender’s shot.
McCarthy was pleased to his see his charges ‘show a lot of heart and a lot of character’ against the eight-time Nedbank Cup champions away from home.
“I’m going to say out of courtesy congratulations to Pirates. They took their chance that came to them and they scored and for us, you saw what we were about,” McCarthy said.
“It was a great game of football. Yes, we’re a small team but on the pitch, we show a lot of heart and a lot of character and I can’t be more proud of this group of players that we have.
“Being away from home. But for us, a lot of positives to take away and we can only get better and I’m super proud of my players and they couldn’t have done more.”
AmaZulu have now turned their attention to their first-ever CAF Champions League group stage match which is against Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca on Saturday.
Raja will host Usuthu at the Stade Mohamed V in the Moroccan city of Casablanca.
