Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes that his side have ‘hit the jackpot’ with the signing of ‘world class’ Tokelo Rantie.
The 27-year-old forward brought an end to his five-year European journey by signing for the Citizens after having his contract with Turkish side Genclerbirligi terminated at the end of 2017.
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The Bafana Bafana striker left Orlando Pirates for Swedish club Malmo FF before earning a move to English club Bournemouth.
Rantie helped the Cherries gain promotion to the Premier League, but failed to make an impact in the English top flight, making just three appearances before moving on to Genclerbirligi in Turkey.
Although Rantie has great ability, he has been without a club for some time and will need to get up to speed at City in order to compete with Matthew Rusike and Siphelele Mthembu for a place in the starting lineup.
McCarthy is under no illusions about the player’s current state but is genuinely excited about the ability he has once out of his current ‘rough patch’.
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‘We did hit a little bit of the jackpot because he is a player I am fond of,’ McCarthy told Kick Off.
‘He was a former teammate of mine. I know his capabilities when he is at his best, when he is fit.
‘He hit a little bit of a rough patch but everybody does that in life. I don’t think any person in the world, not even the great Richard Branson didn’t also have to start from a rough patch in life.
‘So I think TK can be excused for that and that doesn’t stop him being a world-class striker, one of the best strikers we had.
‘That fact that now I have him, my main priority to get him fit as soon as possible because I know when he gets going, he is unstoppable.’
