Cape Town City captain Thamsanqa Mkhize believes that the players are to blame for the sacking of coach Benni McCarthy.

McCarthy recently parted ways with the Citizens after a poor run of results during which he claimed two wins in 18 games across all competitions.

The Citizens have since appointed former Ajax and Galatasaray coach Jan Olde Reikerink to replace McCarthy as head coach.

Mkhize has now defended his former coach, saying that the players were to blame for their poor run of results and not McCarthy.

‘The coach stands on the line and gives instructions. He cannot get on the field and show us what to do,’ Mkhize told the media.

‘He only illustrated during training sessions. To be honest, we are the ones [players] who let coach Benni down. There were times where we could have done better in terms of getting results and winning matches.

‘When the team is not doing well, all fingers point to the coach and if the team is winning credit goes to players. That on its own is not fair.

‘Games against Orlando Pirates and Baroka, we took early leads and were supposed to win them. But we ended up playing 3-3 and 2-2 draws, respectively.

‘It was a norm that we lead games or control matches but end up losing or drawing.’

However, Mkhize insists that his side are now focused on doing well under their new coach and grind out positive results.

‘What is important now is to focus on the work and get results under the new coach,’ Mkhize said.

‘It will be very important that we welcome him with a win in his first match in charge and I believe we will do that.’