Goalkeeper Sage Stephens has revealed that his Cape Town City teammates are willing to die for coach Benni McCarthy.

The only South African Champions League winner took over the reins from Eric Tinkler at the start of the season and has fared well in his first season in charge of the Citizens.

Stephens was handed a starting berth by McCarthy ahead of regular No 1 Shu-aib Walters and has since taken over the duties as the club’s first-choice shot-stopper.

‘It’s really a privilege to be entrusted with the No 1 goalkeeper jersey, hence I want to do nothing more than to repay the coach by keeping a clean sheet,’ he told Kickoff.

‘He deserves all the credit. We are prepared to die for coach Benni on the field. Just getting selected is a big achievement as we have a quality squad with good experienced players.

‘I think keeping clean sheets for me is a bonus and it also helps the team’s record. So I’m chuffed to contribute and to add value to the team,’ he added.

City host Costa Do Sol in their second leg of the Caf Confederations Cup and go into the tie with a narrow 1-0 lead. The former AmaZulu man insists that the Mother City outfit are not taking the competition lightly.

‘We’re actually quite enjoying our adventure in Africa and we are holding our own thus far.

‘The whole experience has been good and we are also thriving on the unexpected element and what the competition has to offer.

‘This competition is also new to our coach and he too deserves credit for the way he has been managing us in the competition with his squad rotation to ensure he gets the best out of us,’ he concluded.

Photo: Backpagepix/Chris Ricco