The Citizens booked their spot in the last four after dispatching the Team of Choice, who are yet to win a game this season.
“This is what cup games are all about. We both wanted it badly. It shows the fans came to see an entertaining game fortunately for us we got one just in the stroke of halftime. That gave us ease to play,” McCarthy told SuperSport TV.
“But credit to Maritzburg they came out well organised. They made life difficult for us. For me it’s a shame to be the ones to knock them out because for me what South African football is all about; two young coaches, ex players coming back to the game. We drill our teams well. Both teams are good on the ball,” he said.
“It’s a shame that one of us had to go out but I’m just fortunate and happy that it had to be us who are still in it. So ha we can breathe again.”
The former Bafana Bafana marksman went on to add that the Team of Choice gave them a hard time physically and they lost two players to injuries as a result.
“Credit to Maritzburg, they came at us, we couldn’t handle their physicality. We lost two players to injuries I’m just hoping it’s nothing serious and we will have them again for the weekend. I’m happy with the outcome that we have passage into the semi-finals,” he concluded.