South Africa's all time leading goal scorer Benni McCarthy says he is a changed man. Today, McCarthy unreservedly apologised to the South African Football Association (Safa) and the entire nation for turning his back on the national team in the past.
The Blackburn Rovers forward says he does not hold any grudges against the previous Safa leadership, even after he wanted the former SAFA vice-president, Irvin Khoza to apologise to him before he plays in the national team again. The wayward striker admits that he did more harm than good in the past, and his reputation nose-dived in the country. He also admits that he was a loose canon in the past, but says now he is a grown up man.
McCarthy has been in and out of the national team since his debut 11 years ago. His comeback is well timed, just seven months to the 2010 World Cup and nine months since his last appearance against Chile in Polokwane. According to McCarthy, the senior national soccer team, and not his English Premiership team Blackburn Rovers, now comes first. He acknowledges that nothing is bigger than playing for one’s national team for any player.
The 32 year-old says he wants to celebrate his reinstatement by doing what he does best, which is to score goals. McCarthy says he closely followed all Bafana Bafana's matches and believes he was the missing link upfront.
Its really so pathetic that it took MacCarthy almost his entire football career to realise that playing for his national team is important ironically after being rejected and having a poor run in his current team its really so pathetic on his behalf to use his country as if we are just "condoms"but good luck to all the boys anyway they are "all the best"especially the Confed team,we love you boys!!!
Thozman,Soweto
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Thozi - November 11 2009 12:36:30
I would like to welcome the move to reinstate McCarthy so that his big-head and ego can be revved up a bit he has been a lonely figure and has lost a lot of self -confidence in himself and ofcourse his football nosedived with that arrogance,hence i really hope he has trully learned his lesson cause if not,then he rue the day he decided to comeback and play for the national team,cause i know there are a lot of angry fans out there so if he thinks he's gonna come here and be prima-donna he's in for a big suprise because we have more capable players who can make him regeret why he ever came back,so its either he shapes up or ship out,lastly he has to humble himself before other players enough with his petulant arrogant attitude cause he does'nt play alone in the field they are all as capable as he believes he is.
Viva bafana!bafana!a luta continua,we will get there!!!
Thozman,sowet
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SILENCE MNISI - November 10 2009 23:14:27
BENNI IS MAD,BCZ IS REJECTED BY BLACKBURN NOW HE WANT REVIVE HIS CARRER,IF I WAS A SUFFER I WILL LET HIM STAY IN ENGLAND AND KEEP OUR BAFANA BAFANA,WE CAN GO FAR WITHOUT HIM. MANY THANX.
thlau - November 10 2009 17:09:43
firstly wecomeback to bafana hoping that you continue where you left of, my comment is that butits not a comment its an advise p/z benni be love your country as we love you
