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Benni McCarthy is doubtful Bidvest Wits will be fully focused when they take on his Cape Town City outfit in the Nedbank Cup last 32 clash.
In their last three games against each other, McCarthy’s team has been victorious on all three occasions.
The Mother City based team beat the Braamfontein side twice in August during their MTN8 match-up and once in the Absa Premier Soccer League (PSL).
However, it was not easy sailing with each game won by a margin of just one goal.
“He [Wits coach Gavin Hunt] has made a couple of changes, they look much better, they look stronger but hopefully come Nedbank [Cup] time they will still be in this little mix they are in at the bottom [of the league]. Maybe they won’t focus too much on the cup but trying to focus on the PSL.”
McCarthy was speaking at the launch and draw of the 11th edition of Nedbank Cup on Monday night in Sandton.
The former Blackburn Rovers FC striker said that whenever his charges play Wits it is always a friendly rivalry.
“Obviously for me whenever I come up against Hunt it’s always a learning curve. He is the guy who launched my career as a youngster. Where many coaches didn’t give me an opportunity, he did. I will always be indebted to him.”
McCarthy said as a first time coach “when you play against your mentor, one of the people you respect, the only way for you to learn and get their respect is to try and beat them every time you play against them”.
In other matches, defending champions SuperSport United will travel to Free State to face Bloemfontein Celtic.
Last season’s finalist, Orlando Pirates will lock horns with Ajax Cape Town, while Mamelodi Sundowns will visit National First Division (NFD) team Cape Town All Stars.
Last season's quarterfinalist Kaizer Chiefs will host Golden Arrows.
Dates and venues are yet to be announced.
Full list of fixtures:
AmaZulu v Mthatha Bucks
Bidvest Wits v Cape Town City
Bloemfontein Celtic v SuperSport United
Safa Mpumalanga (TBC) v Chippa United
Super Eagles v Free State Stars
Kaizer Chiefs v Golden Arrows
Cape Town All Stars v Mamelodi Sundowns
Swallows FC v Maritzburg United
Orlando Pirates v Ajax Cape Town
Platinum Stars v Baroka
Ubuntu Cape Town v Polokwane City
Safa Western Cape (TBC) v Orbit College
Mariveni United v EC Bees
