Chiefs coach discloses what is behind McCarthy’s great form

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has highlighted why young defender Aden McCarthy has started the season in scintillating form.

McCarthy has received two Man of the Match awards in as many matches after playing a key part in Chiefs’ first two league wins without conceding a goal.

Chiefs have picked up six points after a 2-0 win over Stellenbosch last Sunday as well as a 1-0 victory against Polokwane City on Wednesday and McCarthy has played a large part in the two wins, having formed a solid partnership with Miguel Inacio.

Why is McCarthy producing top performances?

Aden McCarthy in action against Stellenbosch FC. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

Kaze says the Chiefs academy graduate is reaping the fruits of his hard work and professionalism as he has shown great character since being integrated into the senior team at Naturena.

“I would say that the people who are giving the Man-of-the-Match [awards] are making our lives difficult because he’s going to think that he’s entitled to win it every game, but it’s good for him,” Kaze said as quoted by FARPost.

“He’s a very nice kid, very professional in a way that he conducts himself inside and outside the field. Another thing that I would say about him is that he’s a player who listens a lot.

Young defender keeping experienced stars out

Aden McCarthy of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates a goal. Photo ASIDILALI

“And he’s always with Zitha [Kwinika] and Miguel. He is always with those players because he knows that their experience can help him. I’m pretty sure that without injuries, he’ll probably go far because he’s a player with quality.”

McCarthy has been thrown into the deep end at the start of this season but has not looked out of place despite his relative inexperience and has so far kept Zitha Kwainika from the team while Rushwin Dortley might find it hard to get a starting pace if the youngster maintains his current form.

The 21-year-old will make it hard for coach Nasreddine Nabi to leave him out of the team if he maintains his form and at his age, Chiefs will be hopeful for the future given what he is already producing at the present.