Benni McCarthy says his AmaZulu side will “try and make life uncomfortable” for Mamelodi Sundowns in their DStv Premiership opener this weekend.
Usuthu ended last season in second place but kicked off this campaign by being eliminated from the MTN8 by Cape Town City last week.
As he prepares his side to take on last season’s champions, at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night, McCarthy insists his side will bounce back from their disappointing cup exit.
Ahead of the game, the AmaZulu boss said on Kick Off: “In order to do well, you have to play all of the tough ones and, unfortunately for us, the team that won the league – and we finished second – we play our opening match against each other.
“I think we had a decent preparation. We had far less interruptions and the players that came back from injuries and from self-isolating, they’ve all be integrating with the team so it was just trying to get them all up to speed in terms of fitness levels.
“It’s been a much better preparation, these last few days, since the MTN 8 game versus Cape Town City and we have to bounce back from that defeat against City over the weekend.”
McCarthy added: “In life, everything you want to achieve, you have to work hard for it, and playing against Sundowns is no different. We are going to work hard but we are also going to try and make life uncomfortable for them.
“Overall, up until now, I am very satisfied, I’m very happy with what the boys have given me. They have worked well and hopefully, they can put all their hard work from the training pitch all into perspective on the matchday come Friday.”