Is McCarthy Chiefs' next star?

After just two Betway Premiership matches, Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy has already received two Man of the Match awards. Amakhosi have kept clean sheets in both fixtures and the 21-year-old youngster, the son of Chiefs' defensive stalwart, Fabian McCarthy, gave two mature displays. For coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team, it would have been very easy to instead select a more experienced option at the back to start the season. Their faith in McCarthy has paid off with the results and improved defensive record thus far. Can the left-footer emulate his father and play 150+ matches in the famous Gold and Black jersey? We look at his outings in the Amakhosi shirt so far, assess areas for improvement and ask whether he is destined to return to the bench when other defenders are back from injury.

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After just two Betway Premiership matches, Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy has already received two Man of the Match awards. Amakhosi have kept clean sheets in both fixtures and the 21-year-old youngster, the son of Chiefs' defensive stalwart, Fabian McCarthy, gave two mature displays. For coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team, it would have been very easy to instead select a more experienced option at the back to start the season. Their faith in McCarthy has paid off with the results and improved defensive record thus far. Can the left-footer emulate his father and play 150+ matches in the famous Gold and Black jersey? We look at his outings in the Amakhosi shirt so far, assess areas for improvement and ask whether he is destined to return to the bench when other defenders are back from injury.

and that is a role which could suit McCarthy really well. Pule Mmodi or even Nkanyiso Shinga could be the left wing-back in the case that Nabi changes formation.

As it stands today, McCarthy has the shirt and is not giving it up easily. That could mean a more staggered return to action for Dortley than originally planned!

Six centre-back - Chiefs' depth for CAF

The one thing that Chiefs' squad certainly doesn't lack is depth in central defence. Amid an injury crisis at the back last season, there were always natural centre-backs to fill the void. McCarthy's emergence replaces the departed Edmilson Dove in the pool of options for the middle of the back four.