Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy has revealed how Orlando Pirates protested against him as he prepared to make his debut for Bloemfontein Celtic in September 1997.
The retired defender played for Celtic before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2000, but it was at Chiefs where he enjoyed some of the best moments of his career.
Speaking to Izinja ze Game podcast, McCarthy recalled how the Buccaneers challenged his eligibility to play during a match at the old FNB Stadium.
“It was September, but I can’t recall the date. I think it was a midweek game at the old FNB Stadium, and I was in the team but on the bench. As I was about to enter the match, Pirates protested,” he said.
McCarthy spent five years with Kaizer Chiefs
McCarthy explained that Pirates believed he had not obtained the necessary clearance after previously attending trials with the club and having links to Jomo Cosmos.
“They protested because I was at Pirates for trials and the Cosmos story. Obviously, they thought I was a defaulter, that I didn’t get my clearance. The late John Moeti went to the referee to protest.
“I said, ‘Why?’ because John didn’t know me. Somebody on the team said something,” McCarthy recalled.
Despite the protest, the former Kaizer Chiefs star was allowed to enter the field and make his Chiefs debut.
“I still went into the field and made my debut. Fortunately, we lost 1-0, but I made my debut. I think it was 1996 or 97, but it was 1997 in September,” he added.
McCarthy, now 49, went on to establish himself at Kaizer Chiefs, winning two league titles during his five-year stay with the Soweto giants.