Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy insists that mercurial forward Ayanda Patosi has learnt from his past mistakes and will improve this season.

The forward made the move to the Citizens from Belgium club KSC Lokeren last July but he endured a difficult first season where he struggled to adjust to the Absa Premiership.

It was, however, his off-field antics that caught the headlines. After performing poorly in training and even missing sessions, Patosi received a public rollicking from club chairman John Comitis who urged him to ‘pull his socks up’.

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McCarthy says he believes Patosi will do good this season and that the 25-year-old’s mother has given the coach permission to discipline him.

‘His mother has given me full permission to discipline him and use my belt if he misbehaves again this season… And I’ve got a belt with spikes on it,’ said McCarthy to SABC Sports.

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‘If Ayanda wants to become the best player, then it requires discipline. I hope he learnt his lesson after being disciplined last season. Whenever he misbehaved, he was fined.

‘I’m sure it hurts whenever he was fined for ill-discipline. It must have hurt. Then you grow up and ask yourself if it’s really worth it.

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‘He’s depriving the country of one of the best No 10s that we haven’t seen in a long time. So, does he want to continue to misbehave and let great opportunities pass him by? I’m sure he will come right,’ concluded the City coach.