Michaelson Ntokozo Gumede

By Ntokozo Gumede

Journalist


Nyirenda worried about his job after ‘iconic’ Benni’s sacking  

Baroka FC head coach Wedson Nyirenda has described former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy as an “icon” following the news that McCarthy lost his job at Cape Town City.


McCarthy was given the boot by City following a string of poor results and Nyirenda says the all-time Bafana leading goal-scorer “deserved” better.

READ: Benni disappointed at his Cape Town City sacking

“We are talking about a seasoned icon in football who has just come into coaching and has done very well. I have no doubt that he is a very good coach and it is very sad to lose a colleague like him. I think he deserves better because he has done well,” said Nyirenda.

While he is saddened that McCarthy has been shown the door, Nyirenda understands that coaches are judged on results more than performance, admitting that he too is worried about his future. The Polokwane-based side has not won a single game in their last five games in all competition.

“Football being what it is… we are in this business as coaches to produce results because performance only will not save your job. We are playing well here (at Baroka), but we are not getting the results so anything can happen [to me].

He adds: “You cannot win the league by saying you played well. You need to put the ball behind the net and defend well then you are okay. If such things come, we understand because we have been in the industry for a long time and it is only fair that a team gets results.”

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

Access premium news and stories

Access to the top content, vouchers and other member only benefits