South African centre-back Aden McCarthy is set to take on Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs player will line up for Sabah FK as the Azerbaijani champions host the German giants at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

McCarthy’s appearance would make him the latest South African centre-back to face Dortmund. He follows Mamelodi Sundowns duo Grant Kekana and Keanu Cupido, who both started against the same side during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In that match, Sundowns gave a strong account of themselves before losing 4-3.

The young defender has already shown he can handle the big stage. He played the full 90 minutes in Sabah’s opening Champions League game, a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. He then started again last week as Sabah claimed a historic 2-0 win over Slavia Prague. That result was the club’s first-ever victory in the competition, and McCarthy helped keep a clean sheet.

He was rested for Sabah’s 4-0 league win over Gabala over the weekend and is expected to return to the starting line-up against Dortmund. The German side arrive in mixed form after a recent 1-0 loss to Bodø/Glimt and will be looking to bounce back.

McCarthy only left Kaizer Chiefs in June after a strong breakthrough season at Naturena. The son of former Amakhosi and Sundowns defender Fabian McCarthy made 33 appearances and scored two goals in his first full campaign with the senior team. His performances earned him a move to Sabah, who qualified for the Champions League as Azerbaijan champions.

Since joining, he has become a regular starter under coach Valdas Dambrauskas. He has already played in both of Sabah’s Champions League league-phase matches and has helped the side keep clean sheets in several domestic games. Sabah currently sit second in the Azerbaijan Premier League and remain unbeaten in recent outings.

Facing Dortmund offers McCarthy another chance to prove himself against one of Europe’s stronger sides. A solid performance could further strengthen his case for more regular Bafana Bafana call-ups under coach Pitso Mosimane. For now, the focus is on Tuesday night in Baku, where the young centre-back will look to stake his claim on the biggest stage.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2112540648762986643