Benni McCarthy was smiling like the Cheshire Cat after his AmaZulu side beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 to go top of the DStv Premiership table on Saturday.
"I love those guys," said McCarthy after the game at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, pointing at his charges.
The Usuthu head coach has been linked to the Bafana Bafana head coaching job left vacant after Molefi Ntseki was axed following South Africa’s failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.
AmaZulu overtook three-time defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns to go to the summit of the log by two points.
Sundowns, however, have three games in hand and will face Orlando Pirates in a box office league clash on Sunday.
"It’s only for one day," said a beaming McCarthy.
"Tomorrow (Sunday) will be fireworks. We’ve done our part as AmaZulu. These players deserve everything and more.
"You don’t often hear me say this, but I love those guys … I love them. They’re disciplined; they listen to me, not many people do, especially not at home.
"Now we can relax, enjoy and watch the spectacular unfold tomorrow."
Usuthu were in the driving seat against Arrows from the get-go as they peppered the Arrows goal with shots in the early stages of the game.
Lehlohonolo Majoro found Sibusiso Mabiliso with a cross and he sent his attempt just wide of goal before Luvuyo Memela's effort was saved by Sifiso Mlungwana.
Makhehlene Makhaula got in on the action as he unleashed a shot from outside the Arrows box, but he watched the ball fly over the bar.
Memela tested Mlungwana in the 27th minute as he drilled an effort from outside the box, which forced the goalkeeper into a low save.
Majoro then went close again as the pressure was piled on the home team, with Benni McCarthy's charges relentlessly attacking.
The breakthrough arrived right on the stroke of half-time when Memela found the back of the net with a finish from outside the box.
The goal forced Arrows to be more expansive in their play as they went in search of the equaliser. Just shy of the hour mark Knox Mutizwa came close with a shot from long range, which narrowly missed to the left.
Nduduzo Sibiya also tried his luck from range as Mutizwa set him up with the pass, but it was blocked.
Mutizwa was in the thick of it again when he directed a shot on target, only to see it saved by Mbongeni Gumede.
AmaZulu held on for the win to clinch their third in a row and move to the top of the league.
- Additional reporting by TEAMtalk.
?? "You don't often hear me say this, but I love those guys!"
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) May 1, 2021
Benni McCarthy reacts to AmaZulu going top of the #DStvPrem with their win against Arrows.