Sports

Comitis pleased with Citizens progress under Benni

Cape Town – Cape Town City boss John Comitis has given head coach Benni McCarthy his full backing, confident he's the best man for the job.

The Citizens have not quite managed to replicate last season's feats under coach Eric Tinkler, who claimed a third place finish in the league and won the Telkom Knockout.

This season they managed to make the final of the MTN8, but lost to SuperSport, while they are on track for a fifth place finish in what is McCarthy's first season as a head coach.

Form has been patchy since the start of the year, but Comitis is for the most part satisfied at the way City have shaped up.

"If I look at the stats, and see that we are probably likely to finish in fifth position on the log, then I have to say that it is has been a successful season," he told the Cape Argus.

"If you look at the fact that we were unsettled at the start of the season… and yet we still are looking at finishing so high up on the table, together with the good Cup runs we had, then I have to say that it has been a great season."

A lack of potency in front of goal is one area of concern, although the City boss believes improvements are underway and does not feel the need to make wholesale changes to the squad in the off-season.

"If there is an area that has been concerning, then it's the fact that we have not been able to convert all the good football we played into goals, but I have to say that the upswing in the last few weeks has been good.

"So, all in all, it's a good signal that we will be ready to continue to make more positive steps as a club. I don't foresee many changes because I believe this current squad is developing nicely, so I expect that two or three new additions will be all we need for next season."

And Comitis also gave former Porto and Bafana Bafana marksman McCarthy the thumbs-up:

"The main thing about Benni is his willingness to learn. He has his personality, and he has his opinion, but, importantly, he is open-minded. He is prepared to listen and learn from his mistakes – and, because of this, I have no doubt that he will continue to progress as a coach."

Related Articles

Back to top button