Benni makes PSL leap

New Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy wants to go head to head with Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns.

As to his tactical approach, McCarthy said South African teams were not vicious enough in front of goal and that was what he wanted from his side.

"I want us to be dominating games, having ball possession and tiring the opponent. The club last season sucked in opponents and caught them with counters; that is already a missile in our armoury.

"I want to go toe to toe with Chiefs, Sundowns and Pirates, teams that are really comfortable on the ball. But sometimes we will have to win ugly, too."

The former Bafana goal-scoring star, who turns 40 in November, said he was aware of his inexperience in the position.

"It is my first job and Cape Town City is gambling on me. But I know what I have to do to achieve and succeed.

"I'll prove that my appointment is a good one. I've set targets for myself and the club," McCarthy told a packed press conference.

"Cape Town City finishing third in the league last season was incredible but I hope the players want to go a step better. Now we can even go up one more - maybe second or challenge for the league.

"I think I'm taking over an ambitious group of guys," said McCarthy, who was announced to the strains of the hit song Shibobo by kwaito group TKZee.

McCarthy said he wanted to have a harmonious group.

"I want a team that is together. I want players to feel comfortable, to be able to trust me like I trust them. I won't be making drastic changes, because they had success and now it is just to add on."

Club chairman John Comitis, who moved quickly to fill the void left by Eric Tinkler's departure to Supersport United, said he felt McCarthy would bring a dimension that no other coach in South African football had.

"He has played at the very top and I think I found in him someone who relates to me in ambition. "

McCarthy will start on Friday next week, before his squad returns for training.