Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that lifestyle concerns and personal problems contributed to Tokelo Rantie's failure to succeed with the Citizens.

City signed Rantie as a free agent in August 2018 following his failed spell with Turkish side Genclerbirligi towards the end of 2017.

However, reported weight issues and conditioning concerns arose and the striker never managed to make an impact for the Mother City-based outfit.

The 28-year-old never made an official appearance for City and was released in December reportedly on indefinite leave.

McCarthy, who played with Rantie at Orlando Pirates, told reporters: "I have a personal relationship with TK. He was my ex-teammate at Pirates. Ja, I have a soft spot for him.

"I was hoping that he was the perfect player to delight this league.

"When you have personal problems, sometimes you don't know the extent and sometimes it gets the better of a human being.

"Unfortunately for us we couldn't be able to overturn and change what was going on behind the closed doors, in TK's lifestyle, his life, his personal life.

"Football was not enough. It needed much more than football to save him.

"It's so sad to see such a talented player robbed of the opportunity to excel and play one of the best sports."

According to reports, the forward has returned home to the Free State and it is unclear when or if he may make his return to playing football.