McCarthy reveals key points about Chiefs rise

Aden McCarthy has put emphasis to what has contributed to the solid season he has had at Kaizer Chiefs just a year on from when he made his first-team debut.

The 22-year-old has shown no hesitation in stepping up to the demands, loading the most league appearances of all defenders at the club.

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His rise has meant the absence of fellow left-footed centre-back Rushwin Dortley has not been felt, with no signals that it was only a year ago this month that he played his first match for the senior team.

"At the start of the season, I just knew what I wanted and what I wanted to achieve as an individual to help the team, and that is what I did," he states.

McCarthy trained with the first team for three years before his break came, and throughout that time, his mindset was put to the test.

Prior to making his first team debut at the Soweto giants, he also went on trials at Moldova club Sheriff Tiraspol, where he impressed, but the two clubs couldn’t iron out a transfer deal.

"What I did off the field helped me stay grounded.

"…I have done boxing for almost a year but have stopped now because the schedule is hectic," said McCarthy.

The young defender says he has seen a mental coach, which he says has strengthened him.

"Initially going to the mental coach, which is Mr Henning, (Dr. Henning Gericke), who is with the team now."

He said prior to Gericke joining the club, he had seen the doctor about three or four times. He adds that those meetings were solely about him preparing for the future.

"I was five-and-a-half weeks on trials in Moldova, almost two months, and I would say that experience made me a man to survive in this sport and this industry."

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McCarthy, who is the son of Chiefs legend Fabian, said that experience showed him how to become a professional and how to control what he can.

"Just do what I want to do for my people at home, my family, myself, and for my career," explains McCarthy.