Fabian McCarthy has spoken about what he thinks of Orlando Pirates' chances in the MTN8 this season after the two matches they have played so far in the competition.
As the defending champions, Pirates have had all eyes on them to see how they will do in this year's competition, and so far coach Jose Riveiro's side hasn't disappointed.
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Having defeated SuperSport United in the quarter-finals, the Buccaneers got the all-important away goal in the 1-1 draw against Cape Town City in the Mother City last night to take it to their second leg semi-final fixture to be played at Orlando on Saturday.
While not taking anything away from the other equally good teams in the competition, McCarthy admits that he would like to see a repeat of last year's MTN8 final between Pirates and his former club Mamelodi Sundowns.
"For me, I would love to see a final like that and we know four-five days it will be a sold-out affair based on wherever the game will be in the country, whichever province will want to host it. Obviously, that will be great, and that will be lovely, but we are not undermining City or Stellies," said McCarthy, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The former defender has been impressed with how Bucs have been sharp in front of goal this season, having scored eight goals in their first four matches in the different competitions.
"I think Pirates have a few goal scorers and they created all those chances and stuff. It just sometimes needs you to get that one striker or midfielder that gets into the area and finishing off the chances they're creating. Going forward, they're very dangerous, they're very quick, they're smart, they get into those pockets of spaces in and around the goalscoring area and in the 18 yards. Sometimes I feel that it's just a small lack of composure and stuff. For me, it's just that they played two games after the quarter-final, City never played any competitive game after the quarter-final," said McCarthy.
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"They have the momentum, they are the team that obviously want to defend, they are the team that is under pressure in this competition to retain the trophy. I mean, they have won it five times and they will want to win it for the sixth time in its 16th year of the MTN8 competition – this cup edition. I think Pirates have a lot to lose in this competition, anybody else is not under pressure to defend or to win the cup," he concluded.
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