Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has touted their development product Aden McCarthy for a huge future in the game after his latest Man of the Match display.
McCarthy, 21, has been in and around the Chiefs first team for the past four seasons but has only made his debut on the second last game of the 2024/25 season after impressing with the national team during Cosafa Cup and African Nations Championship qualifiers.
He had 12 appearances on the bench prior, but featured predominantly with the DStv Diski Challenge squad until this pre-season, where he profited from the injury of Rushwin Dortley and the exit of Dove Edmilson, slotting in on the left side of the central defence.
Alongside captain Inacio Miguel, the son of former Chiefs star Fabian McCarthy, who formed part of the iconic league winning team that conceded a league record of 11 goals in a single season – he’s been flawless with two consecutive Man of the Match awards now.
“I would say that the one who is handing the Man of the Match is making our life very difficult because he’s going to think he’s entitled to get the Man of the Match every match now,” Kaze said in the post-match press conference.
“But it’s good for him – he’s a very very nice kid. Very professional in the way he conducts himself, inside the field and outside. Especially another thing I can say about him, he is a player that listens a lot.
“He’s always with Zitha and Miguel, the type of players he knows their experience can help him. I’m sure, without injuries, he will go far, he is a player with quality.”
McCarthy will be aiming to retain his place in the starting XI next Tuesday when Chiefs host Richards Bay at the Calabash.
