Bafana Bafana ”bad boy” Benni McCarthy has been dropped from the national squad to play in next month’s Fifa Confederations Cup.
Bafana coach Joel Santana on Thursday refused to answer questions about McCarthy who snubbed him by refusing to play in recent friendly matches against Norway and Portugal. The Blackburn Rovers striker claimed he was injured.
South African Football Association CEO Raymond Hack, however, said McCarthy was not being punished and he could return to the squad in ”two months if the coach selects him”.
Hack added Santana had accepted McCarthy’s reasons for not being available for Norway and Portugal.
However, McCarthy has a habit of picking and choosing his games. But although it is a brave move by Santana, it might be a case of cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face as McCarty is the only recognised striker with real international experience, and is in top form for Rovers.
Santana failed to convince the media when he named his 30-man provision squad which will be trimmed to 23 before June 4. The coach, who has been criticised for not attending local games, said he had picked the best available squad and was confident of doing well in the event viewed as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.
His shocks included recalling 35-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns keeper, Brian Baloyi. There were questions raised when Santana claimed to have watched all selected players in action. ”The criteria for selection is on technical ability, physical fitness, medical condition and discipline,” he said.
But neither SuperSport United midfielder, Lance Davids, nor Sundowns central defender Matthew Booth, have played regularly for their clubs recently and are selected.
But, countered Santana: ”I am aware of the fact neither have played regularly, but I have a month to work with the players to assess them and that gives me enough time to decide on their fitness.”
Santana has not selected a balanced squad. He has named five strikers in Israel-based Thembinkosi Fanteni, Katlego Mashego of Orlando Pirates, Serbian based Bernard Parker, Downs’ Katlego Mphela and Mabhuti Khenyeza, but could find no place in his squad for Golden Arrows’ Richard Henyekane who is the PSL’s top goal scorer with 18 goals this season, and is crying out for a chance to represent his country.
If the criteria is form, then surely Henyekane deserve a chance, especially now that McCarthy is out of favour.
It is obvious the ultra-conservative Santana is determined to defend at the Confederations Cup. He has selected three defensive midfielders in Kagisho Dikgacoi of Arrows, Pirates hard man Benson Mhlongo, and veteran Russian-based Macbeth Sibaya.
Santana said his toughest job would be to trim the squad to 23 in time for the opening Confederations Cup clash against Asian champions Iraq at Ellis Park on June 14.
Also in Bafana’s group are New Zealand and world number-one ranked side Spain.
Santana said he would be watching DVDs of Iraq and New Zealand who play friendly matches this month.
Said Santana: ”It is easier to get information on Spain than either Iraq or New Zealand.”
But he said he would do his homework while the nation waits. Failure in the Confederations Cup is not an option for Santana who, like Hack, claims the bigger picture is the 2010 World Cup finals. At a monthly salary of R1,8-million, Santana is expected to get at least to the semifinals.
Bafana begin training with the local based players at Milpark on May 13. They play training games against a PSL First Division side on May 23 and another practice game against Mauritius on May 30.
Both games will be played at the Johannesburg Stadium. — Sapa