Amazulu Coach Benni McCarthy Dismisses Second Season Blues Curse, Says Local Players Have 'Mentality' Problem

• Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy is unbothered by grumblings that he is something of a 'one-season wonder' merchant
• This comes as Usuthu struggle in his second season at the club after a sensational first one when he took over
• The Bafana Bafana legend has been in a similar situation, with a similar pattern playing out in his time at Cape Town City

Amazulu coach is unbothered by seemingly fickle claims that he is a 'one-season wonder' wherever he coaches.

Usuthu is experiencing second-season blues after a sensational first one when McCarthy first took over in late 2020. Something similar happened to him at Cape Town City, where he arrived in 2018 by immediately delivering an MTN8 title, before tailing off in the second season

According to Soccer Laduma, this has put a 'one-season wonder' tag on the former Bafana Bafana striker.

Instead, McCarthy attributed the inconsistency to local footballers resting on their laurels after impressing at the first time of asking, leading to complacency.

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He said to the media after Amazulu stumbled again in the CAF Champions League last weekend:

"I think it is a mental thing, it is a mental thing, because I'm someone who went to Europe and I didn't want to play one or two seasons, I wanted to complete my career in Europe because that was the best for me and for my family.

"So I knew every year that I had to be better because I would be out of the door, I did it for 15 years because I wanted it and that is what players need to do, to stay on top. You can't depend on last season's performance because every year there are youngsters coming in."

“There are no challenges and you have to rise to the occasion, you have to improve and be better, don't be too comfortable the way you are and that's the difference. It is a South African thing, when you have one (good) season and you think you've arrived, you don't want to get more success. Name one player who has managed to be consistent for three seasons? One player?”

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Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy blames referee for loss against Orlando Pirates in Nedbank Cup last 32 tie

Amazulu coach Benni McCarthy was not a happy man after his charges were beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie at Orlando Stadium.

As reported by Sports Brief, a strike by Deon Hotto was the difference as the Buccaneers edged Usuthu 1-0 in an engrossing match fraught with controversy.

The hosts were fortunate not to have a penalty decision go against them midway through the first stanza after Goodman Mosele handled the ball in a sliding challenge in the box.