From Kaizer Chiefs to Champions League hero! Aden McCarthy stuns Borussia Dortmund
What a night for South African football! Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy has reportedly delivered an extraordinary Champions League performance against Borussia Dortmund, producing numbers that would make any world class defender proud.
Details: According to football journalist Austin Ditlhobolo, McCarthy received an impressive 8.0 match rating during Sabah's Champions League encounter with Borussia Dortmund on October 20. The South African defender reportedly scored once, made a clearance off the goal line and completed the full 90 minutes. He was described as the highest rated defender on the pitch, outperforming several established European stars. The detailed figures come from the journalist's report and have not all been independently verified.
His defensive statistics were equally impressive. McCarthy reportedly won four of five duels, including his only aerial challenge, and completed both attempted tackles. No opponent managed to dribble past him. He also produced 32 accurate passes from 36 attempts, recording an 89% success rate.
The performance represents a remarkable moment in the defender's European journey. McCarthy joined Azerbaijan's Sabah from Kaizer Chiefs during the summer of 2026 after establishing himself as one of the South African club's strongest performers. Playing against Dortmund, a regular Champions League contender, provided an opportunity to test himself against elite opposition.
His reported goal made the occasion even more memorable. Centre backs are primarily expected to stop attacks, but contributing at the opposite end can transform their reputation. Whether this performance attracts attention from bigger European clubs remains to be seen.
It's worth noting that McCarthy completed his move from Kaizer Chiefs to Sabah in June 2026. The Azerbaijani champions are competing in the Champions League league phase for the first time, giving the South African defender a valuable opportunity to showcase his abilities internationally.
Reminder: Kaizer Chiefs may lose defender Aden McCarthy to Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
