After securing a credible 1-0 victory in Mozambique in the first leg, the Capetonian outfit started as favourites against the visitors at Athlone Stadium and, unless the Nedbank Cup has become the priority for McCarthy, the decision to set out a second-string side backfired.
The home side conceded with basically the first attack of the game, as a rusty Tshepo Gumede was rightly punished for a handball inside the area - in a desperate attempt to prevent the fiery visitors from capitalising on a school-boy error from the City defence.
Scenes of the usual vocal McCarthy firmly stationed in the dugout without uttering a word told its own story when the impressive Liberia international winger Terrence Tisdell headed home the opener from the rebound - after the initial spot-kick crashed against Shu-aib Walters' crossbar.
With the scores level, the home side showed real character to gain ascendency after a shocking start that could not have been scripted.
But with veteran Teko Modise or playmaker Ayanda Patosi not amongst the starting XI, the lack of creativity and composure in the final third was evident.
For all the tactical discipline and organisation displayed, which is a testament to McCarthy and his technical team; what was glaringly obvious was the spine of the successful Citizens under former coach Eric Tinkler had been ripped out and not adequately replaced.
Manyama, Ngoma, Majoro
With former captain Lebogang Manyama, Aubrey Ngoma, Lehlohonolo Majoro, who racked up 29 goals and 24 assists between them last season, no longer in their ranks, the lack of leadership and incentive to take initiative going forward was alarming; the ongoing theme throughout the 2017/18 season.
On Sunday, it was a sense of hot potato as the home side entered the final third, with no direct running, no thought process behind crossing, no desire to get bodies forward into the area and each player passing to the next with no purpose.
With Nodada in the more advanced midfield position, the role which former skipper Manyama thrived in, the Blue and Gold Army were unable to convert their dominance into substance.
It would be unfair to lay the blame on the diminutive midfielder, as he was one of the more impressive performers on the day and being clattered every five minutes by the opposition proved he was quickly highlighted as a danger.
But the late sucker-punch arrived with Canarinhos heading home the decisive second away goal after another lapse of concentration in the Robyn Johannes-less defence - to undo all the efforts of the Capetonians.
Lessons learnt
At the end of the day, it was deserved the winner for the visitors, after crowd-favourite Lindell dazzled onlookers with sublime skills borderlining on showboating to terrorize the City back-four.
But the two-year-old South African outfit can take heart from their first foray into Africa while the equalising strike from rookie midfielder Zukile Kewuti was another particular highlight.
There's no shame losing to the Mozambican side, considering their 55-year-old history with over 22 major titles.
City's youthful squad will surely bounce back stronger in years to come if owner John Comitis backs Benni in the transfer market - which this season has proven is essential if the club seeks to maintain their lofty ambitions.
