Kaizer Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy offered his honest verdict on the potential and progress of his son, young Amakhosi defender Aden McCarthy, identifying key areas the player must improve.
After making his Amakhosi official debut in a Betway Premiership 1-1 draw away at Sekhukhune United in May, the centre-back is arguably the Soweto giants’ biggest revelation so far this season, starting four league games and claiming two Man of the Match awards.
He has also been trusted in Amakhosi’s continental mission after making the line-up in the CAF Confederation Cup, first preliminary round, first leg, 1-0 defeat to Kabuscorp SCP away in Luanda on September 20.
Even after a hamstring injury kept him out of two PSL games, the 21-year-old returned to condemn the more experienced Zitha Kwinika back to the bench. His continued rise saw him being part of the Bafana Bafana squad that participated at the 2025 COSAFA Cup in June.
But his father still feels his son, Aden still has a long way to go as he pushes to turn himself into a household name in South African football.
HOW SHOULD ADEN MCCARTHY STEP UP HIS GAME?
“He has to improve on a lot surrounding him and the game, the position he is playing in and obviously the different games he is yet to play,” McCarthy told FARPost.
“I want more of him to be involved, organised to be focused and take more responsibility. He has a good left foot on him, a good shot, passing range and accuracy. I want to see maybe more diagonal balls from him, pushing more into the middle and give clear instructions.”
The former Bafana Bafana central defender added, “He has to know that when you give a teammate instructions, you now need to take half of that responsibility of sending him out of his position, and you move in there. Organise your defence when you guys have possession, knowing who is going where.
“Maybe find out more about his teammates, the weaknesses and the strengths, because that is how you complement each other. You know your partner here, your partner on the left, on the right, the guy in front of you, the goalkeeper at the back of you. Those are combinations and the things you need to work and build on.”
McCarthy started training with Chiefs’ first team during the 2021/22 season but spent most of his time playing for the club’s reserve side. The departure of left-footed centre-back Thatayaone Ditlhokwe last term was expected to create space for McCarthy, but Rushwin Dortley’s form kept him on the sidelines.
With Dortley still out nursing a long-term injury, the former South Africa Under-23 star has grabbed his opportunity this season to become a reliable figure in Amakhosi’s rearguard.
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