Benni McCarthy is Back in the Bafana Bafana Squad
When Carlos Alberto Parreira returned as head coach, the writing was on the wall, Benni Mc Carthy would be asked to come back. The door to the Bafana Bafana team would once again be opened to the man who has scored 31 goals in 76 caps for his country.
Coaching Team in Agreement
According to football 365 Assistant coach Jario Leal says the recalling of McCarthy after nine months of self-imposed sabbatical was done in consultation with returning head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira along with Pitso Mosimane.
“The return of Benni was done after we spoke about it between myself, Pitso [Mosimane] and Parreira,” Leal said at a press conference on Thursday. “He [McCarthy] is the main striker in the country and this is the time to bring Benni back and see how he does in the last two games of the year. He is a good player and we trust Benni is going to help us in the way forward.”
Bafana Bafana Squad – Best Talent Available
Carlos Alberto Parreira has announced his intentions to be a no-nonsense coach by pulling no punches to ensure that the best available talent will from now on be used in the Bafana Bafana squad – and that means selecting people who can score goals.
SAFA has announced a radically new looking 24-man squad to represent Bafana in their upcoming friendly internationals against Japan and Jamaica.
U20 World Cup Amajita stars Kermit Erasmus, Daylon Claason and Darren Keet have been selected in the squad along with Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy and in-form SuperSport United winger Daine Klate.
Match Times
The first match against Japan will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 14 November 2009. Kick off is at 15h30.
The second match against Jamaica will be played at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on the Tuesday, 17 November. Kick off is at 20h00.
Bafana Bafana Squad for Japan and Jamaica Friendlies
Goalkeepers:
Rowen Fernandez Arminia Bielefeld, Germany
Moeneeb Josephs Orlando Pirates
Darren Keet BIDvest Wits
Defenders:
Siboniso Gaxa Sundowns
Bongani Khumalo SuperSport
Morgan Gould SuperSport
Tsepo Masilela Maccabi Haifa, Israel
Aaron Mokoena Portsmouth, England
Anele Ngcongca KRC Genk, Belgium
Lucas Thwala Orlando Pirates
Siyabonga Sangweni Golden Arrows
Midfielders:
Daine Klate SuperSport United
Renilwe Letsholonyane Kaizer Chiefs
Daylon Claasen Ajax Amsterdam, Holland
MacBeth Sibaya Rubin Kazan, Russia
Teko Modise Orlando Pirates
Elrio Van Heerden Blackburn Rovers, England
Siphiwe Tshabalala Kaizer Chiefs
Kagisho Dikgacoi Fulham, England
Strikers:
Benni McCarthy Blackburn Rovers, England
Katlego Mphela Sundowns
Kermit Erasmus Excelsior Rotterdam, Holland
Bernard Parker FC Twente, Holland
Mabhudi Khenyeza Sundowns
Photo: Benni Mc Carthy Football 365
Popularity: 10% [?]
