Benni McCarthy, head coach of AmaZulu. Picture: Steve Haag, BackpagePix
BENNI McCarthy says nothing would make him prouder than leading Bafana Bafana to the World Cup.
With former national team coach Molefi Ntseki fired two weeks ago after failing to qualify the team for next year’s African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the door is open for a new mentor to step up.
And in steps Hanover Park ‘se eie’ McCarthy, who has been on fire as mentor of AmaZulu this term – leading the team to third place currently on the PSL standings.
As the country’s record goalscorer with 31 strikes, many believe the time is right for the 43-year-old to step into the biggest role in South African soccer.
And with Bafana still looking to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Qatar, McCarthy tells the BBC: “As a former player and a manager now you would want to be in charge of the best teams in the country where you are managing.
“If that comes with the responsibility of taking your national team that’s been struggling – it is something that I wouldn’t rule out.
“I would really think hard about it because nothing would make me prouder than to manage my country and qualify us to a World Cup tournament.”
The former Cape Town City coach is back in the Mother City today, with his AmaZulu side taking on Stellenbosch.
Looking to ‘slaan Benni’s wind uit’ is Stellies coach Steve Barker, whose side played to a 2-2 draw with Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.
Following their draw with Chiefs, Barker says: “Friday we’ve got AmaZulu at home so we’ve got to get ourselves up for that, get over the disappointment of not getting it over the line.”