Benni: Why The Current Bafana Is Unknown to the World
Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has said he sees little similarity between the national team of his playing days and the current squad, pointing out that his generation was largely made up of players based at major clubs abroad.
The present South African national team is dominated by locally based players, with only a handful plying their trade overseas. Players from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns form the core of the squad and have played a significant role in South Africa’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.
Only eight players selected for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco are currently playing abroad. These include Siyabonga Ngezana, Samukele Kabini, Tylon Smith, Sphephelo Sithole, Lyle Foster, Elias Mokwana, Mohau Nkota and Shandre Campbell.
When asked whether he sees similarities between the Bafana Bafana team of his era and the current one, the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer was clear in his response.
“Not really,” McCarthy said on Sporty TV.
“Almost all our players were based overseas. At the time, I was playing in Spain for Celta Vigo. We had players like Quinton Fortune, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Fish, Lucas Radebe, Sibusiso Zuma and Siyabonga Nomvethe.
“They were playing in Italy, Spain, England, Germany and Turkey. So, our players were playing for big teams,” continued McCarthy, who won the Golden Boot at the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso.
“In contrast, most of the current players are based in South Africa. We only have about three or four who are playing abroad.
“It’s a very domestic national team, but it’s a well-groomed group with a lot of talent. Many of these players are still unknown on the global stage, but they will be known because they are really good. South Africa has a very young and exciting team.
“I’m excited to see what they will bring.”
Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and will open their campaign against Angola in Marrakech on Monday [21:00].
At the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast, South Africa finished third, claiming the bronze medal — their best performance at the tournament since the 2000 edition.
The 2025 AFCON will get underway on Sunday night when hosts Morocco face Comoros in front of a capacity crowd of 69,500 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
