JOHANNESBURG – South Africa dumped star striker Benni McCarthy from the FIFA Confederations Cup squad yesterday when a provisional 30-man list was released.
Record Bafana Bafana (The Boys) scorer McCarthy had been expected to get the nod from Brazil-born coach Joel Santana despite shunning recent friendlies against Norway and Portugal.
Blackburn Rovers striker McCarthy, scorer of 31 goals for South Africa, claimed he was injured despite being cleared to play by medical staff at the English Premiership strugglers.
Santana and various predecessors have treated McCarthy with kid gloves despite a controversial national team career since bursting into the limelight at the 1998 African Nations Cup.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld/GER), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Matthew Booth and Siboniso Gaxa (Sundowns), Morgan Gould and Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport Utd), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers/ENG, capt), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos/GRE), Nasief Morris (Recreativo Heulva/ESP), Lucas Thwala (Pirates)
Midfielders: Innocent Mdledle, Benson Mhlongo and Teko Modise (Pirates), Lance Davids (SuperSport), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge/BEL), Masilo Modubi (Westerlo/BEL), Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nkosi (Maccabi Netanya/ISR), Steven Pienaar (Everton/ENG), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs)
Strikers: Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Mabhuti Khenyeza (Ajax Cape Town), Katlego Mashego (Pirates), Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Red Star/SRB). Squad will be trimmed to 23 before June tournament. – Nampa-AFP
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
