Benni offers De Sa olive branch
Benni McCarthy says he is “sad” that coach Augusto Palacios is leaving Orlando Pirates and has offered an olive branch to his replacement, Roger de Sa.
Palacios stood down from the Bucs hot-seat on Monday, saying his need for spinal surgery would leave him incapacitated and unable to fulfill his duties with the team.
Upon his return to full fitness, he will rejoin the development ranks at the club, from where he was promoted to head coach following the axing of Julio Leal in March.
McCarthy and De Sa had a row after the 2011 Telkom Knockout in which Pirates defeated De Sa’s BidVest Wits 3-1, leading the striker to say at the time, "[Wits assistant coach] Eric Tinkler and Roger de Sa are dead to me."
But now that the 34-year-old will have to work with De Sa, he has offered him his congratulations, an apparent sign that he is willing to let bygones be bygones.
“Very sad news of coach Palacios resignation,” McCarthy tweeted. “A good man and a great coach. I wish him a speedy recovery. Congrats is in order to Roger de Sa. Roger is a good coach that's why he got the job, hope he bring success.”
McCarthy will first have to concentrate on his recovery from a hamstring injury that the Bafana Bafana medical team have said is likely to keep him sidelined for six weeks.
After that he will get the opportunity to try and force his way into De Sa’s line-up.
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