Benni fit and ready for action

2008-09-03 09:54

Port Elizabeth - Benni McCarthy has been declared fit to train with Bafana Bafana this morning after being assessed by the team's medical team on Tuesday.

Initial reports were that the Blackburn Rovers' striker was suffering from a slight groin strain when he arrived in South Africa.

Then there were reports from a source at his club that stated that the Bafana striker was not injured, but rather not match-fit and overweight.

However, Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane said that the green light is on for coach Joel Santana to consider him for selection against Nigeria's Super Eagles this weekend.

"After examining him [McCarthy] on his arrival on Tuesday, our medical team declared Benni fit and ready to resume training with Bafana Bafana on Wednesday morning.

"We are confident that Benni will be at his best on Saturday when we play against Nigeria. So far everything is going well in terms of our preparations and there have not been any late injuries."

Santana was full of smiles on Tuesday following the arrival of all overseas players on Tuesday with McCarthy and defender Nasief Morris being the last two players to make the camp in Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Nigerian fans in South Africa have promised to come in numbers to Port Elizabeth to support the Super Eagles on Saturday.

Locally-based Nigerian soccer agent Mohammed Lawal remains confident that their country will continue where they left off in the first game against South Africa, which was played in Abuja in June this year.

"I am already in Port Elizabeth with a large number of Nigerian fans who are here to support our national team. The team is missing some of the big names like Martins and Kanu, but we are confident that the boys will make us proud against Bafana Bafana on Saturday."

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