HOME > NEWS > ORLANDO PIRATES SKIPPER LUCKY LEKGWATHI SAYS BENNI MCCARTHY IS VITAL FOR BUCS

Orlando Pirates skipper Lucky Lekgwathi says Benni McCarthy is vital for Bucs

Lekgwathi: Benni has lifted our game

Posted: 2011-12-12 10:38

Orlando Pirates skipper Lucky Lekgwathi says veteran Benni McCarthy has "lifted our game", insisting the striker plays a vital role in the team.

McCarthy – who initiated the move that resulted in Pirates' first goal during their 3-1 victory over Bidvest Wits in the Telkom Knockout Cup Final – has been central in the revival of the Julio Leal-coached side, who are now putting their League title defence back on track. 
 
Lekgwathi says McCarthy is an inspiration to the young Pirates players who dream of following in his footsteps by playing in the more lucrative European leagues.
 
In a chat with KickOff.com, the Bucs skipper says McCarthy, who had a fruitful 11-year stint in Europe, has not lost any of the hunger and competitiveness that saw him rise to become one of the most potent strikers around during his peak.
 
He says: "Benni has lifted our game. He was not fully fit when he joined us at the beginning of the season but he has been working hard and his efforts are now paying off.
 
"He is established as a player but despite this, he remains very humble and is a team player. 
 
"Benni is a thorough professional and his experience is proving to be vital to the team. He is a leading example to the younger players who also want to play in Europe." 
 
The Pirates captain says McCarthy plays a key role in some of the important decisions that are made during matches.
 
"Benni is very experienced. He is a player who has won League titles in Europe, including the Uefa Champions League. This makes his input very valuable on the field," Lekgwathi says. 

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Mathe a Tau: 2011-12-12 11:15

of course skipper, this man is world class. Benni "Moneymaker" McCarthy

Mfundisi One-Skipper Bakaniya: 2011-12-12 11:18

Bakaniya is the best team, Period

fanon: 2011-12-12 11:20

Yho! just remember the days of the drought and we were the laughing stockz herr. Il never 4get those bleak years. the success of Pirates should be a reminder and a lesson to every1 that "droughts come and pass" and that "before it rains , the sky covers up in clouds, wind blows and that z not a pleasant moment but the rains eventualy comes". In lyf we must learn to be patient ppl, even when u dnt see the light.

once and always...mabhakaniya lets not forget where we come from..

champ million : 2011-12-12 11:22

Dankie skipper! Captain my captain! U r very humble Lucky 'Trophies Lifter' Lekgwathi

Scirocco 'R': 2011-12-12 11:23

true my captain,
He is in a class of his own.

m sure Wits defence wer promised overtime alowenc provided thy win Telkom Cup.

KING?: 2011-12-12 11:27

fanon: we never had bleak years at Pirates, coming 2nd is also winning, how many time have we reached cup finals and come back with a silver medal.

If u come 2nd, u dont lose Gold but you win silver.

the silver days are gone and now its Gold waya waya.

Mr Magic, Powerball, money maker, In the 18 area, is blessing for us Bhakaniya family.

how many players hold a UEFA gold medal in AFRICA or the world, this man is amongst those players - thats how big it is.

Fela: 2011-12-12 11:27

There are certain players teams should never loose even after retirement, Benni is one of them. His experience and determination is beyond recognition. This guy loves Pirates with passion and why not allow to mentor our strikers for now and even after retirement. Lucky my captain i am proud of the respect your teamates have for each other, hope the next captain has been earmarked and being groome for this position because really Pirates struggles when you are not playing and so Bennie. Thank you Bhakaneer siyabonga what an early Christmas dankie siyabonga again and again...

Jealous Down: 2011-12-12 11:31

Lafosta King! Coming second is just like the one who came last, no one remembers you but the winner...

Kenny Chabedi: 2011-12-12 11:32

Now we must get back to League, and focus on the Champions League.

Vum-Vum: 2011-12-12 11:37

Spot on Mr Captain, this guy plays a vital role in this team. his touches are very important. yesterday i was watching repeat of Pirates show on ss4 and he was sked by Josephs about nickname, and said he is waiting for supporters to give him one. When i look at his work and contribution at pirates i thoughts Ben 10 suites him. Ben 10 character is about saving the earh from evil guys, so Bennie is saving pirates against our opponents. Thank you bennie and the rest of the team for making pirates and ghost happy.

After the game i saw Ben 10 Macarthy having some hashy words with chapman. i didnt hear what he was saying but i can tell you Ben 10 was asking Chapman why are you disrespecting orlando pirates Brand by breaking the emblem when you celebrate and chapman was very angry if the captain didnt intervene believe me you, there was going to be an ugly scene.

Undisputed Double-Trebble Champ Mopheme: 2011-12-12 11:43

Dankie weer, Mabakaniya..! Baie dankie..! What a great atmosphere in Durban.! Really, Pirates is a unifier..! When everything is going in terms of national teams in SA, Pirates is the only one putting smiles on the faces of the masses..! Welldone to Bennie, Lekgwathi and all the guys..!

Undisputed Double-Trebble Champ Mopheme: 2011-12-12 11:45

When everything is going wrong...

KING?: 2011-12-12 11:48

Jealous Down: If thats how u where raised or raising your kids, you are killing their spirit.

Just ask yourself, why there is a price for 2nd and third contenders in any competitions.

Lafosta King! Coming second is just like the one who came last - This is now narrow mindedness, no 2nd would usual get a 2nd price, silver medals and for those who are curious who did Pirates beat in the final, Wits name will always pounce.

Just learn and avoid stereo types.

Champ "Superbrand": 2011-12-12 11:51

Benni will moer this Stupid Wits kid on and off the field!!!!! And Mbuyane will open the book for them.

Elvis : 2011-12-12 11:52

what i love about Pirates players is the fact that the strikers are not selfish l

Champ "Superbrand": 2011-12-12 11:53

Ever since Chansa was moved to his rightful position, he is scoring goals. Two games and two goals, 100% strike rate!!!!! As long as he continue to play there, the team will benefit.

Mgugudi: The Treble Addict: 2011-12-12 11:55

Good day Champs,

The prophecy by one of our mightiest fans Mr. Goodluck has come to pass. We are not a one cup team (champions) but a 5 trophies (champions) team. Foolish hobos did not understand what the elder was saying & laughed at their peril.

Another thing champs is that I am now tired of being hated by my business partners because of Pirates hence I denounce being a Pirate because my family relies on my good relations with them. Family 1st, country 2nd & lastly le Pirates hakhona that is ruthless. I am now a fully fledged Chiefs supporter. What should my new name be?

Hobo Mgugudi?, In-my-time Mgugudi?, Brown Envelop Mgugudi? Mgugudi Gqubule-Sithole? Champ Macufe Cup-tremble Mgugudi?...

Sekgala johannes molaba : 2011-12-12 11:56

If Barcelona keep on rockng n spain, manchester on England. Bucs is going to continue on liftng the trophys...! Shapa bucs shapa. Molaba wale pirates

Jealous Down: 2011-12-12 12:00

King you are the opposite of clever... Coming second will never be called winning. There's only one winner and coming second you are just a runner up. What do we call that, the final loser winner? *Moron*

Mgugudi: The Treble Addict: 2011-12-12 12:02

@ King,

How was the vibe at Max's? I went to Florida to chill all, the pubs / resturants rocked, durban was painted in black & white with a tint of red...

Did you also get to use those powerful muscles (to teach some hobos a learson)after lifting a Telkom cup?

jola: 2011-12-12 12:05

This has become a pirates news letter,coming Mr Editor there is important stories to report about as well,like Supersport vs Sundowns game happening on the 16th Dec.Hayikhona

Scirocco 'R': 2011-12-12 12:09

Has Dr Khoza gone out of his mind,

Why he want to donate the Telkom Cup to Chiefs?eh myb our cabinet is ful who knows.

Breaking news on SSport Sky news.

Black & Yellow : 2011-12-12 12:13

Operation Thatha Zonke has been successfully carried out by the 11 surgeons (aka Galaxy of Stars) we always send on the field of play... Now Operation Defend(a) Zonke until Bobby submits his CV is in full swing!!!

Tsipa!... Amabhakaniya ajabulile, amabhakaniya ajabulile, amabhakaniya ajabulile *in Mzwake Mbuli's voice, kwaaaa*

Let's not forget Bucs Football Friday Mabhakaniya!

Tsipa! Ichuuu!!!!...

KING?: 2011-12-12 12:20

How did Ndumiso Mabena miss that chance, the boy must be relegated to the bench for a lesson. We cant afford this, at this level.

we need to see more of Rantie and Talatou.

Why was Doutie not selected.

eish mara Pirates has got a GALAXY OF STARS.

TheeBest: 2011-12-12 12:26

Are we not comparing the Wits vs Pirates players after the game Mr Editor? Mbuyani vs Chapman, Klate vs Myeni, Mahamutsa vs Mabizela. I think KO owe Pirates supporters and players that feedback.

tebotouch : 2011-12-12 12:29

time n again ... Youthfull club's neva win anythng....
Correct me if i'm wrong guys...but i seen a youthfull pirates, energetic 1... But it neva won anythng 4 us...!!?
...........
Fact, exprience is superiority @ football...diz is one of the lessons carried out @ the university of orlando pirates(u.o.p) the greates university in africa!!!

LordJerry : 2011-12-12 12:35

Benni is the most successful South African export in our generation... The runners up are well behind him... Radebe, batlett, pinaar....

I mean Radebe relegated a team that was fighting 4 the league the previous years.... Left family business without winning the league....

Batlett was a 3rd choice striker at a very weak Chalton atletic side... He came back to Zimbo fc and scored less than 6 goals then loaned to celtics....

Pinaar you are 2nd to benni.... We all know which team you grew up supporting.... De Sar and Tickler didnt achieve even half of what you have achived combined.... At current salary of 7 million an annum, he earns more than both of them combined....

Football 101 was mastered at the University of Orlando.

Anti-BOBBY: 2011-12-12 12:43

As much as I am Family Business suppoter, I have to congratulate Pie-rats and Mr Irvan Khoza for a strategic signing of Benni. What Lakgwathi is saying is the exact purpose of Bennie's signing, How I wish we had a clever manager in this Family business. I don't see any success for us as long as that IDIOT is still running things and I know he's gonna be there for a looooooooooooooooong time........I HATE KAIZER CHIEFS AT THE MOMENT........BOBBY I HATE YOU WITH PASSION....

lets : 2011-12-12 12:53

offcoz mcowthy has inspired u. afta all it's camp of abo tsotsi who r always on the wrong side of law. now with (big mouth,big belly)mcowthy in charge no 1 can stop them.

Jacob/Styles: 2011-12-12 13:02

King! I have to agree with what you have just said there, Pirates has been playing in cup finals in that seven years of drought. To me that is not bad as it is painted by our detractors. We displayed good football and in many instances it was bad luck. Re ja JOY! Ayeye! Up The Bucs! As for Zane Moosa he will floor-cross, Sure Zanie!

Fela: 2011-12-12 13:10

Bhakaneers can i just clear something here especially with '?King' regarding Mabena. Jujus Mabena's purpose as much as he has the responsibility of scoring goals like all 11 players, the technical team is aware of this hence the way they are using him since our game against Supersport.

His responsibility is to add speed during attack and keep the opposition defence busy. He does this very well because then Jali can play the midfield defensive role alone. Manyisa when he is introduced he makes more runs forward and helpout during attack. Please guys lets give Mabena a break maybe we can send him to someone who specialises in bones like an orthopedic to correct his krom feet but otherwise he gives you options.

Charlie: 2011-12-12 13:30

Mabhakaniya, I think it's about time we introduce 'BUCS FRIDAY' in honour of this great team. The boys have done us proud, let us play our part and take this brand to the next level

Ganadlha: 2011-12-12 13:40

@KING?: 2011-12-12 12:20 [ Report ]
eish what i can say WITS. Mabena just tried too hard to shine on the ball while kicking it.he supposed to push it straight.well its not a problem.
Mc Carthy also missed 1on1 with the Keeper even Gautrain,
Eish they said the cables are reconnected now ayeyeyeeeee kuzofiwa manje.Gautrain is back.
Shapppaaaaa Bakaniya Shaaaapaaaaa
Eish Mara Pirates "why made my friends my enemy now? "others can even talk to me coz BUCS rule this days eish life!!!
ONCE N ALWAYS

shantie41@ovi.com: 2011-12-12 14:30

well said captain,even young strikers like ndulula and mabena are learning 4rom bennie.he only got one weakness which is his short temper.if he work on it,he can be at his best again

Jam Jam: 2011-12-12 15:21

@ Champions

I am appealing to Chairman to be fair, by giving our captain a longer leave. Lucky should be tired by now for lifting every PSL trophy. Do you agree?

Malandela Mboto : 2011-12-12 19:53

Kwedin'aseKapa yintoni le uyenzayo ebantwaneni,hayi sukani madoda!

Botswanian4life: 2011-12-13 09:25

In the area simple the best,inspiring all SA youngsters and he's their "ROLE MODEL"

MSANZI'S FINEEST IN TERMS OF FOOBALL CAREER,EISH PIRATES ROCKS!!!

Ke dutse ka lethabo