AmaZulu head coach Benni McCarthy admits Group C has been blown side open after their loss to ES Setif and Horoya’s result over Raja Atheltic Club.
Usuthu suffered a 2-0 defeat in CAF Confederations Cup group stages against ES Setif on matchday four in Algeria. Two first-half goals from Riad Benayad and Akram Djahnit were enough to hand all maximum points to the Algerian side.
“Very difficult game for us. Because I think from the first minute Setif, they started really well, they pressed us high. I think they wanted to get the early goal so they can settle well in the game. And the fact that we complied, and we allowed them to press us the way they did, and a little bit of a nervy start for us. But after that, I think we control a little bit of the game,” McCarthy said after the game.
Despite admitting Setif were the better team, McCarthy believes the referee could have handled the game better citing some ‘bias’ decisions.
“I think that the referee could have maybe handled the game differently, he could have handled the game a bit more professionally, he was a bit biased, in my opinion, allowed certain fouls for them to play on.
“And when it came to us, he was very quick to give yellow cards out. And so players, when you on a yellow card, you tend to play a bit nervy and make mistakes.”
With two games to go now in the group stage, McCarthy feels like the group is wide open and they standing a good chance to make it to the next round.
“But I feel that with the chances that we had, and if we had scored the goals, it would have been a completely different outcome. But congratulations to them,” he continued.
“And now the group is completely open. You know, Raja, I believe didn’t win today, so there’s a chance for Setif, for Horoya even to win the next two matches and they can also contest. We play Raja next, and we are at home.
“And I think we sort of at home we are a bit more solid and hopefully we can win from Raja next week at home. And then, it’s everything to play for Raja for AmaZulu, for Setif. But for today I think Setif was the deserved winner.”
Usuthu will host Moroccan giants and group leaders Raja on Friday the 18th of March at Mbombela Stadium.
