Benni McCarthy dedicates MTN8 final victory to his wife, Stacey

After failing against the same opponent on the first attempt, Cape Town City finally got their hands on the MTN8 trophy when they beat Supersport United on penalties in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, handing Benni McCarthy his first piece of silverware as coach.

The Bafana legend had had a difficult last few weeks, on a personal level, as he missed his side’s last outing prior to the big final when he had to tend to his wife Stacey Munro, who had to go under the knife after suffering a collapsed lung earlier that week.

MTN8 victory at last for Cape Town City

After over 120 minutes of football, McCarthy’s charges came on the right side of the shootout – where they fell short last time around – and the 40-year-old was visibly elated when given the chance to speak and dedicated the win to his better half, who is still recovering from the operation.

“I wanna say to my wife at home, this one is for her. It’s been difficult, Stacey. I hope you’re watching. I want you to recover well.”

Some respite for Benni McCarthy

McCarthy’s MTN8 triumph was not his first, as he had also won it as a player towards the back end of his career when he won it with Orlando Pirates in 2010.

Earlier, the former striker had expressed concern over his job, as he revealed that he was weary that Cape Town City chairman John Comitis might just not take too kindly to a second successive failure in the very same competition.

“The first one (final), I was only a month into coaching. So, I had no chance of getting fired if I lost. Now, I’m steady, I have stability… there is a chance the chairman aims a shotgun at me if we don’t get over the line this time.”

Cape Town City will get a few days to savour their victory before their are required back in action on Tuesday night where they will host Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium.