McCarthy was on the spot light in the 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso. He banged them goals as if that was his last tournament alive. From that moment the hope of the nations rested on his shoulders.
You can imagine how much pressure he was on from that time. He was available most of the times and did well, but still the National selectors failed to develop or at-least produce another good striker.
It seems we only remember the bad about Bennie McCarthy but he has done well for the national team as well. I am not protecting him or some sorts. If the national selectors had a plan B in terms of the striking force we wouldn’t be after him like this. Our national selectors failed the nation.
If Bennie is not available then what? We have no goal scorers. With due respect to the current strikers, but they are nowhere closer to McCarthy. Bennie is lethal goal scorer but now we have middle-fielders played as strikers.
For us to score goals we need a target man like Bennie, Masinga (Chippa) Philemon, mark Williams the list is endless. The current crop is not satisfactory Parker is good but he doesn’t have the body of a target man but still our coach plays 4-5-1 formation.
Look at the big nations in the world players will do whatever they do just to play for their countries, because they know that once they lose the position it’s going to be tough for them to come back but here because McCarthy has no competitor he knows anytime he wants to play he will play.
It’s worrying to watch the current team playing. Yes we have the first eleven but I am still not convinced if this these guys can take on the top world teams.
Before you call for my head, here are my reasons:
Teko Modise is good, but what if he gets injured? We have no substitute for him (maybe Steven Pienaar), Siphiwe Tshabalala has done well he has no competition for that left wing, instead they put Surprise Moriri there (Right footed player with no pace).
Bernard Parker has done excellent job, but he cannot stay with the defenders as he was suppose to (Target man), we saw him going deep to collect the ball when we played against Portugal.
What I am saying is that we need to have a plan B if A disappoints. The lag of goals is our main problem but SAFA was busy negotiating with McCarthy instead of grooming another players. I mean what kind of a message is SAFA sending to other strikers when if they will just jive to every tune (kaap se daans) by Bennie.
We have a strong man like Sandile Ndlovu of Moroka Swallows and Nkosinathi Nhleko (he is still a good player and he makes good runs and he uses his body well as a target man. “Laities don’t win anything” this was Arthur Zwane simply saying the youth cannot win a thing unless you mix them with experience.
We need guys who want to play for their country but we most definitely need a target man. In the past we had guys like PHIL “Chippa” Masinga, Mark Williams on the same position, Doctor “16v” Khumalo, John “Dungi” Moeti, Linda “Benz” Buthelezi, Erick “Mlugu” Tinkler and John "Shoes" Moshoeu.
All quality, where prepared to play at anytime and produce now players they fake injuries because they know that there is no one who can take their position! Blame SAFA they should have found a target man and other good strikers when Benni started his nonsense.
N.B. We need the goal scoring machine before the World Cup or else our players will watch from the stands just after the group stages.
Nito (Diskioff writer)
nito.diskioff@gmail.com
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The Bafana is closer to the cup than ever!
Being host and having evolved so much in the late years might push the South African team further!