Latest news with #AdenMcCarthy
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Football greatness runs in the family: Fabian McCarthy proud of son Aden's rise at Kaizer Chiefs
Like father, like son Aden McCarthy has won two man-of-the-match awards in his first to games for the Kaizer Chiefs first team. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix McCarthy senior, who spent five years in the famous black-and-gold Chiefs jersey in the early 2000s, was proud of his son's early achievements. The 21-year-old Aden has had a brilliant start to life in the Amakhosi first team since captaining their junior side to the DStv Diski Challenge last season. In his first two senior games – both won by Chiefs – Aden has picked up the man-of-the-match award. And Kaizer Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy wants his son to surpass his achievements on the field and have a better career than he did. With commanding performances in the heart of defence, 21-year-old Aden McCarthy is quickly proving that football greatness runs in the family. Speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW ahead of Wednesday's game against Polokwane, McCarthy senior said: "I think he just gave a good performance, he did well. I didn't expect the man-of-the-match performance. Clean sheet, that's all I said. 'Keep it tight, make sure you don't let them go past you.' "He has to do better than his father. Remember we're here, our fathers set the tone for us to go higher than them, so now we're setting it on for them to go to the highest level,' said McCarthy senior, who won 10 caps for Bafana Bafana and also turned out for the likes of Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns in a 14-year career. "Very humbled, very proud, very priceless moments that one just has to embrace and say 'Thank you, Lord, for giving me such a kid and for keeping him in a safe place.' I said, 'Congratulations, you need to double up now'," he added. Thanks to the young McCarthy's performances in the heart of defence, Amakhosi currently find themselves second in the league after two wins from two games. Chiefs will be back on the field next Tuesday when they host Richards Bay and will be hoping for another inspired performance from the young academy graduate and son of a club legend. IOL Sport
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Coach comments on Kaizer Chiefs' current best player
Aden McCarthy has wasted no time making a name for himself at Kaizer Chiefs while Rushwin Dortley is injured. In his very first league start for Kaizer Chiefs, the 21-year-old left central defender walked away with the Man of the Match award against Stellenbosch FC, and then went and did it again in the next game against Polokwane City. Two back-to-back awards for a player still finding his feet in top-flight football is no small feat, and it's turning heads across the Betway Premiership. Orlando Pirates news: Another player gone and Saleng finds love According to his assistant coach Cedric Kaze, McCarthy's hot streak isn't just raw talent. It's about the discipline he's shown behind the scenes and the trust the technical team has placed in him. 'He's a good listener, he works hard, and he takes instructions seriously,' Kaze told the media. 'That's why he's able to step up and perform at this level,' the Rwandan coach added. Orlando Pirates full list: 16 players gone '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. '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,' concluded Kaze. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Ben Youssef hails luck and resilience as Kaizer Chiefs beat 10-man Stellenbosch
Aden McCarthy dedicated his Player of the Match award to coach Nasreddine Nabi and his father, former Kaizer Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagpix Kaizer Chiefs' caretaker coach Khalid Ben Youssef revealed that luck played a crucial role in their success as they fought off a determined 10-man Stellenbosch side to run out 2-0 winners at Athlone Stadium on Sunday evening. It turned out to be a memorable weekend for the Amakhosi, as they enjoyed a precarious yet triumphant Premiership victory, while their Gauteng rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, dropped points. The match took an early turn in Chiefs' favour when Nkosingiphile Ngcobo scored a stunning free-kick just 14 minutes into the game, shortly after Stellenbosch defender Siviwe Nkwali was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mduduzi Shabalala, who was goal-bound. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The numerical advantage might have seemed a gift for Chiefs, but they quickly realised that facing a side reduced to 10 men is never straightforward. 'It's tough to play against a team with a player who has been sent off because when you then score, our players think that the game is going to be easier,' Ben Youssef remarked. He emphasised the challenge his players faced in maintaining focus, as Stellenbosch dominated possession and came close to equalising — at least four scoring attempts struck the woodwork. 'We found some difficulty in the first half, and we were lucky they didn't score,' he admitted. However, at half-time, a tactical shift saw Ngcobo replaced by Sibongiseni Mthethwa, whose introduction bolstered the Chiefs' midfield and led to a more balanced second half. Thank you Cape Town, and all the travelling Branches and Supporters ❤️✌🏼#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 10, 2025 'I was so proud of the performance of our players, and also the players coming from the bench. We discussed that before the game in our meeting — we need the players coming in from the bench to help us,' Ben Youssef added, highlighting the squad's depth. The match concluded with Chiefs benefiting from a late penalty, which Glody Lilepo expertly converted to seal the two-goal victory. Remarkably, this win marks their fifth consecutive away triumph against Stellenbosch, underlining Chiefs' dominance at the Winelands club's home ground. Looking ahead to their next fixture against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm), Ben Youssef expressed hope that new signings Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga and Flavio Silva would be registered in time, pending work permits. 'I think when our new players are available, it will be better for us. They will give us more solutions, we are waiting for them, and we will continue to work,' he said. Chiefs' young centre-back Aden McCarthy dedicated his Player of the Match award to head coach Nasreddine Nabi and his father Fabian McCarthy, a Chiefs legend who also played at centre-back. The 21-year-old, who previously captained the Chiefs DDC team, was making only his second start for the senior side. 'This one is for my family — my mother, my father and my brother — but also most importantly for coach Nabi. He couldn't be here with us today,' he said. 'We've had a long process, a long journey since pre-season, but we've overcome the mental game, so now it's just a show on the field, and (Sunday) you saw it.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Aden McCarthy shines as Kaizer Chiefs open their Betway Premiership campaign with a win over Stellenbosch
Kaizer Chiefs' Aden McCarthy impressed with a Player of the Match display in the 2-0 win over Stellenbosch. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs' assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has hailed Aden McCarthy for his outstanding Player of the Match-winning performance in the club's 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch on Sunday night. The win at Athlone Stadium, which marked the opening of Chiefs' Betway Premiership campaign, came courtesy of well-taken goals from Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Godly Lilepo. It also served as a morale-boosting dedication to head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who was absent after travelling to Tunisia on Friday for a family emergency. Speaking after the match, Ben Youssef was full of praise for the 22-year-old McCarthy, who has been steadily rising through the club's ranks. 90 + 4'| 🟥#ST 0 : 2 #KC Full time score: Stellenbosch FC 0 : 2 Kaizer Chiefs (Ngcobo 15', Lilepo. pen 90 + 6') Betway Man of The Match: Aden McCarthy #Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #AlwaysHome — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 10, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Aden was with us last season in training,' he explained. 'We must thank our DDC coaches — they prepared him well. His performances at the start of the league last season were not up to standard, but after discussions, he worked hard to improve. He ended the season with us, starting the last two matches. 'In the pre-season camps, he was one of the best players, so he deserved to play. We didn't give him a gift — his performance showed he earned his place in the team.' Nabi is expected to miss Chiefs' next league outing, a home clash with Polokwane City on Tuesday night, but Ben Youssef hopes to have a fuller squad available soon. New signings Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett, and Nkanyiso Shinga were unavailable against Stellenbosch, reportedly due to their paperwork not yet being finalised. 'I think when the new players join the team, it will be better for us, and they will give us more solutions,' Ben Youssef added. Chiefs will be aiming to build on this positive start and maintain momentum in the early stages of the campaign.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs thumped by FC Utrecht in pre-season friendly
Kaizer Chiefs suffered a 4-0 defeat to FC Utrecht in a pre-season friendly, highlighting defensive challenges as they prepare for the new season. Picture: Itumeleng English/Indpendent Media At 3-0 down, Nabi threw on a completely new team of Bruce Bvuma, Dillan Solomons, Zitha Kwinika, Luke Fleurs, McCarthy, Reeve Frosler, Gaston Sirino, Nkosingiphile Zwane, Siyethemba Matlou, Pule Chislett, Ashley Mmodi and Aphiwe Hlongwane. Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi played the first hour with the lineup of Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane, Given Thibedi Miguel, Luke Fleurs, Aden McCarthy, Siphesihle Shinga, Makabi Lilepo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Siyethemba Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Mduduzi Shabalala and González Da Silva. Following their loss a couple of days earlier to Vitesse, the match was played behind closed doors, meaning there were no spectators. Kaizer Chiefs crashed to a 4-0 defeat in their pre-season friendly to Dutch outfit FC Utrecht , in the Netherlands, on Friday evening. Soweto Giants' Defensive Improvement and Aden McCarthy's Insights The fresh combination was something of an improvement, as the Soweto Giants only conceded one more goal in the final 30 minutes. New centre-back Aden McCarthy said it was a difficult challenge against the Dutch team. 'It was a really tough encounter,' said McCarthy. 'It was interesting to see how they processed this match and how they approached it, especially when they pressurised us. We understand each other very well. We often don't even need to communicate with one another to know what needs to be done.' Though Chiefs did win their first piece of silverware in a decade when they beat Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final in May, it did not hide the fact that the AmaKhosi finished outside the top eight for a second season in a row. The expectations, therefore, will be much higher in the new season. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
