Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes Mamelodi Sundowns new signing Toni Silva is the next PSL superstar, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
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The Citizens are set to welcome Sundowns to the Cape Town Stadium when the two sides square off in the MTN8 semi-final first leg on Saturday.
The Brazilians lost Billiat and Tau to Kaizer Chiefs and Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, but McCarthy feels that Pitso Mosimane has not filled the void left by the attacking duo.
‘Psychologically, it is a big loss for them [Sundowns] and it is added to the fact that their new players haven’t really settled in and found their feet‚’ McCarthy told reporters.
‘But it still doesn’t stop them from having the same quality that they had and the players that they have brought in have foreign experience‚ so they could be better equipped than what the likes of Percy and Billiat gave them.
‘The strength with those two was that they were both lightning quick and they were both deadly in front of goal. That’s why they were able to punish most teams.
‘With time‚ once these new guys settle in and find their feet‚ I think they [Sundowns] are going to be as clinical… or probably even more so… than what they were because they did make some exceptional buys.’
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The Brazilians capture the Guinea-Bissau international at the end of last season, but has only made his debut for Sundowns when he came on as second half substitute during their 0-0 draw with Highlands Park on Wednesday evening.
And McCarthy tips former Chelsea and Liverpool academy graduate, who he remembers from his time at Benfica when he was at Portuguese giants Porto, to become the next big thing in the PSL.
‘He’s a player who interested me a lot. He came on yesterday [Wednesday in Downs’ 0-0 league draw against Highlands Park] and made a cameo appearance. What a player! World class! World-class player!’ he added.
‘I think once he is unleashed, South Africa is going to have a new superstar playing in our league because he’s just a class above most players we have. He comes with pedigree‚ European experience and he’s been at youth level at Benfica and at Liverpool‚ and I don’t think you get a better education than at those two clubs.’
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Cape Town City will host Mamelodi Sundowns at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday with kick-off set for 3pm.
