Chiefs were given some time off the day before the game, and McCarthy used his free hours off by visiting a shopping mall near the Chiefs team hotel. The next day, when Chiefs were in action, it was back to basics from McCarthy who came in with some wonderful defending, to help Chiefs fight off a second half attack on goal by Arrows.

For McCarthy the game had further positive connotations, as it was his 150th appearance in a Chiefs jersey, for the stalwart defender who made his debut for Chiefs in November 2003 against BidVest Wits.

Turn around

The 2007 – 2008 has seen McCarthy turn his fortunes around in dramatic fashion. He began the season still out with a root canal problem and when he did start playing, he was rotated with Derrick Spencer and Jonathan Quartey at centre back.

An injury to Spencer in early December saw McCarthy get stuck in at central defense and he has not looked back since, and has played a total of twenty-one league and cup matches during this season. Sixteen of those have been starting appearances in league matches and he has made four starting appearances in cup games, as well as one run out as a substitute in a league game.

Special Arrows

It was somehow ironic that McCarthy turned out in his 150th match for Chiefs against Arrows, as it was against Arrows in December when the teams met the first time this season, that McCarthy came on replacing the injured Derrick Spencer.

Since that game he has gone from strength to strength, helping the defense keep form and shape. Commenting on making his 150th appearance for The Amakhosi, McCarthy said “Playing in any match is always special. Being able to play and win your 150th game is more special. I am grateful to have been able to have played in so many games and I hope that I can get to my 200th game with Chiefs in the not-too distant future”.

In total McCarthy has played in 287 top flight matches in South Africa since making his professional debut with Bloemfontein Celtic during the 1997 – 1998 season, one of three PSL teams he has featured for with Mamelodi Sundowns being the other.

Coaches tribute

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral congratulated McCarthy on his achievement of having played 150 matches for Chiefs and said: “Fabian must be commended for his work ethic, commitment and his undying patriotism for the team. He has been a real asset for us this season and who can fault him on anything, he has marshaled the defense well whenever he has featured for us. There have been times when he has been handed the captains armband and his leadership on those occasions has been fantastic, well done to him and I hope he plays many more games for Chiefs”.