Benni McCarthy’s former player details why he’s suited for national team job
One of Benni McCarthy’s former players, Butholezwe Ncube, has detailed why the Manchester United first-team striker coach is suited for the national team, Bafana Bafana’s job.
McCarthy is a strikers coach at the English Premier League [EPL ]giants, where he is working under the mentorship of head coach Erik ten Hag.
The 46-year-old recently opened up about his dream of becoming head coach in the European football landscape. McCarthy said his wish is to face-off with some of the former players who are rising in their managerial careers.
Furthermore, this revelation reignited talk that he could be the right candidate to take up the Kaizer Chiefs job, where Cavin Johnson is holding fort on an interim basis.
The Bafana legend had a decent stint as AmaZulu FC’s head coach between 2020 and 2022. McCarthy also coached Cape Town City FC in the PSL.
Most importantly, he had a sterling career with the national team, where he remains the all-time goalscorer. The former Orlando Pirates striker featured in the FIFA World Cup as a player in 1998 and 2002.
WHAT BUTHOLEZWE NCUBE SAID BENNI MCCARTHY
Although it now appears that he is eyeing a coaching gig in Europe, one of Benni McCarthy’s former players, Butholezwe, thinks his qualities fit a national team job.
In an interview with FARPost, Butholezwe Ncube said: “I read that he dreams of coaching clubs in Europe. But having worked closely with him, I think he makes the right candidate for the national team [Bafana Bafana].
“It starts with what he achieved while he was wearing the Bafana Bafana jersey. He is an example of the demands and what is expected.
“I worked with him, and as a foreigner [Zimbabwean], he was so welcoming and under his guidance, I started scoring goals as a defensive midfielder.
“Right now, it’s easy for me to score despite being often forced to push back to cover the defensive.”
He added: “Moreso, Benni is an exceptional profiler, if not the best in South Africa. Personally, I think that makes him perfect for the national.
“It’s different from the club where one is expected to give instant results. Unlike the clubs, more patience could be needed because you deal with players coming from different leagues and different kinds of play.
“For me, that makes his job easy and it also the reason why he is the perfect candidate. Considering his patience, you can be rest assured that he will give all those that deserve a chance,” he added.
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