Head coach Benni McCarthy on Saturday hit out at what he termed the “tricks” of home side TP Mazembe after securing a historic CAF Champions League triumph in Congo. McCarthy’s side advanced to the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s 89-year history on the away goals rule after a hard-fought 1-1 draw
McCarthy’s side advanced to the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s 89-year history on the away goals rule after a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Bongi Ntuli struck in the 38th minute with the home side equalising late in the 90th minute as the striker’s goal proved decisive after a 0-0 first-leg tie.
Speaking after the final whistle, McCarthy lambasted the host’s tricks in an attempt to disrupt AmaZulu’s match preparation.
“On the eve of the game we had to undergo Covid-19 tests, McCarthy revealed post-match.
“With the results all negative, negative, negative since arriving here and then on the eve of the game they then target one of our most important defenders in Tapelo Xoki.
“Then on the day of the game it’s the same, we took the players to the same lab and the tests came back negative twice.
“But their side then said he [Xoki] is positive. Then we launched a complaint and ten minutes before kick-off they say yes, he can play now.”
McCarthy then fiercely criticised the gamesmanship tactics by the home side to try to destabilise his team.
“Due to these fake positive Covid-19 tests, and that for the calibre of Mazembe to have played these kinds of tricks.
“You want to cheat to get over the line, but we showed some unbelievable quality today.”
AmaZulu next face Sekhukhune United in a DStv Premiership clash at Ellis Park Stadium on Wednesday.
Source : Kick-off