McCarthy explains that while he is impressed by Chiefs’ off-season acquisitions, one can never underestimate the depth that the Brazilians have within their ranks as they look to successfully defend the league title.
Chiefs play against Bidvest Wits tomorrow in their opening league match of the season before facing Cape Town City FC on Friday in an MTN8 encounter. Sundowns will only open their account in the league on September 14 against Maritzburg United.
“I do not really read much into how the teams start because a football season is very long. How the teams will finish is more important,” McCarthy tells snl24.com/kickoff.
“I have watched the new Kaizer Chiefs signings in action and they seem to have the discipline to excel for the club,” McCarthy adds.
Apart from roping in well known PSL campaigners Sibusiso Khumalo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Enocent Mkhabela, Chiefs have also promoted striker Emmanuel Letlolo, who was previously with the club’s development team.
The attacking duo of Mitchell Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare – brought in by Chiefs from Zimbabwean club Chicken Inn – as well as Zambian international Lewis Macha are among the club’s other signings.
“Chiefs will definitely want to win the league because of the status of the club. While they have the kind of players capable of bringing success to the club, much will depend on how they will gel in as a unit. Their first matches will be crucial,” McCarthy says.
The retired 39-year-old is also equally excited about the prospect of watching Sundowns in action.
“To me, Sundowns still have the most dangerous attack when compared to the other teams and how they will fare this season is a question that everyone is asking.
“They have done well in the CAF Champions League and it will be great to see how that international form will play out during the domestic matches,” McCarthy says.