Portuguese-based striker Benni McCarthy dropped a major bombshell when he announced his retirement from the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana.
This was announced by South African Football Association chief executive officer Albert Mokoena prior to Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba naming his 22-man squad on Thursday to play at the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia next month.
”We were shocked by Benni’s move. We were busy trying to come to a compromise with him as he had requested he wanted to join the camp a few days before we play our first match in the finals against Benin on January 27.
”But before we could reply he sent us a letter of resignation. We tried to convince him to retract it but to no avail,” said Mokoena.
Mashaba described McCarthy, who plays for leading Portuguese club Porto, as ”sad”. He added: ”It is a great pity a player of his ability has opted to retire from international soccer.”
Recently the country’s leading goal scorer and former captain Shaun Bartlett also announced his retirement from Bafana in order to concentrate on playing in England for Charlton Athletic in the Premiership.
But despite the ongoing club versus country saga, Mashaba has selected a good squad under trying circumstances. He has recalled experienced defender Mark Fish, also of Charlton.
While Mashaba is thin on attack with only four strikers including Sibusiso Zuma of FC Copenhagen who usually operates on the right wing, he has a solid defence and midfield.
Fish, with 60 caps, also plays for Charlton and has been in tremendous form for the London outfit. Apart from wing back David Kannemeyer the other six defenders are all European-based.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mbulelo Mabizela will captain Bafana at the continental showpiece.
Jacob Lekgetho, who has improved in leaps and bounds since joining Russian giants Locomotiv Moscow, is one of the players to watch out for in the tournament. Mashaba could have a headache in selecting a starting back four.
He has other top-class defenders in French-based World Cup player Thabang Molefe (another who has matured since playing overseas), Aaron Mokoena of Genk in Belgium and another Russian-based defender, Tony Coyle.
Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Steven Pienaar has recovered from a knee injury and is set to play a leading role alongside veteran 27-year-old John ”Shoes” Moshoeu of Chiefs. Two other Amakhosi stars, Stanton Fredericks and Jabu Pule, are also included.
Wits University goalkeeper Wayne Roberts, who has conceded only one goal in 11 PSL league matches, is rewarded for a great season. He joins Andre Arendse of Sundowns and Norwegian-based Emille Baron as the three keepers in the party.
A lot of work in attack will fall on the shoulders of Italian-based Siyabonga Nomvete and Preston North End’s George Koumantarakis, who is also recalled after a long absence. — Sapa
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Andre Arendse (Sundowns), Wayne Roberts (Wits), Emille Baron (Lillestrom, Norway)
Defenders: Mbulelo Mabizela (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Thabang Molefe (Le Mans, France), David Kannemeyer (Kaizer Chiefs), Jacob Lekgetho (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Aaron Mokoena (Genk, Belgium), Tony Coyle (Rostov, Russia), Mark Fish (Charlton Athletic, England)
Midfielders: Benson Mhlongo (Wits), Stanton Fredericks, Jabu Pule, John Moshoeu (all Chiefs), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Steven Pienaar (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Bennett Mnguni (FC Rostov, Russia), Delron Buckley (VfL Bochum, Germany)
Strikers: Patrick Mayo (Chiefs), Siyabonga Nomvete (Udinese, Italy), George Koumantarakis (Preston North End, England) and Sibusiso Zuma (FC Copenhagen, Denmark).