Kickoff (Cape Town)
3 October 2008
Moroka Swallows coach Julio Leal is playing his cards close to his chest on whether he will give defender Fabian McCarthy his debut in Birds' colours when they take on his former team Kaizer Chiefs in the Absa Premiership game at Olympia Park Stadium on Sunday.
McCarthy managed to resolve his contractual dispute with the Dube Birds yesterday and quickly declared his commitment with the club this season.
Speaking to KickOff.com, Leal said he has always been happy with McCarthy's performance at training but will only decide by tomorrow whether he will play him against Amakhosi in on Sunday.
"I am very happy about Fabian at training but he has never been in my mind for selection with the group of players I have working with at training. I will take a close look at him today and tomorrow before I decide whether to include him on Sunday."
McCarthy, meanwhile, tells KickOff.com that he is ready to play at anytime but refused to comment that he would have a point to prove if he faces his former teammates at Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Chiefs coach, Muhsin Ertugral has warned his charges of the threat posed by Swallows when the two sides lock horns at the weekend.
The two sides are meeting for the third time in less than a month. Chiefs managed to beat the Swallows to advance to the MTN 8 Final despite losing in the second leg fixture in Rustenburg; they had done enough in the first leg scoring two goals while the Swallows managed only to score one.
"They have a wonderful structure and I have said it before that they are going to be a threat this season.
"I believe they are one of the title contenders this season so we will have to be at our best on Sunday. The past results against them do not count this time around. This is a Soweto derby. The players are focused and confident going to this game," the Turkish born coach tells Chiefs' website.
Muhsin added that the win against Ajax had motivated the team and that spirits are high going into Sunday's game.
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