Goalkeeper Sage Stephens has revealed that his Cape Town City teammates are willing to die for coach Benni McCarthy.

The only South African Champions League winner took over the reins from Eric Tinkler at the start of the season and has fared well in his first season in charge of the Citizens.

Stephens, was handed a starting-berth by McCarthy ahead of regular number one Shu-aib Walter and has since taken over the duties as the club’s first-choice shot-stopper.

“It’s really a privilege to be entrusted with the number one goalkeeper jersey, hence I want to do nothing more than to repay the coach by keeping a clean sheet,” he told kickoff.

“He deserves all the credit. We are prepared to die for coach Benni on the field. Just getting selected is a big achievement as we have a quality squad with good experienced players.

“I think keeping clean sheets for me is a bonus and it also help to the team’s record. So I’m chuffed to contribute and to add value to the team,’ he added.

City host Costa Do Sol in the second leg tie of their CAF Confederations Cup clash and go into the tie with a narrow 1-0 lead. The former Ama-Zulu man inists that the Mother City outfit are not taking the competition lightly.

“We’re actually quite enjoying our adventure in Africa and we are holding our own thus far.

“The whole experience has been good and we are also thriving on the unexpected element and what the competition has to offer.

“This competition is also new to our coach and he too deserves credit for the way he has been managing us in the competition with his squad rotation to ensure he gets the best out of us,” he concluded.

Photo: Backpagepix

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za