‘I can help our national team’ – Benni McCarthy eager to assume Bafana Bafana hot-seat

The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu boss has previously spoken of his ambition to take the national team reins in a bid to improve South Africa’s standing on the world stage.

Recent Bafana bosses have had a hard time getting a tune out of the national side, but current incumbent Hugo Broos is seemingly well settled in his job after an impressive showing at the Africa Cup of Nations, where his team came third.

But McCarthy, who is currently employed in the English Premier League as a striker coach, says he doesn’t want to leave it too late in his career to take a stab at managing his country.

He told iDiski Times: “Any player who turns to coaching or being a manager, his dream is to coach his national team.

“And for me, it’s even more so, the fire is burning even more so. Because of the fact that South Africa has never qualified for the World Cup since 2010, or technically 2002. And that ghost is haunting me.

McCarthy added: “I can help our national team qualify for the World Cup. And not just qualify for the World Cup, but going far! Going through the group stages and doing what Morocco and Ghana have done at previous World Cups.”

McCarthy may have some time to wait before he is considered for the post, again – having been considered prior to Br–s – but insists he wants to still be young when that day comes.

Listen. I don’t want to be Hugo Broos’ age when I take the Bafana job!,” he exclaimed.

“I want to be able to still have the energy that I have. I want to be present for my players. And you know how vocal and how animated I am?

“And I still want to have all those traits, the trademark me on the touchline, and intimidating the opposition bench and coaches because of how vocal and animated I am on the touchline.

“So when my players see that, they must see a reflection of themselves in their coach on the touchline. So yeah, so I hope that opportunity comes one day.”