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Benni not a bad boy
02/09/2008 12:10 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Give Benni a break.
That was the message from former Bafana Bafana captain, Eric Tinkler, to local fans as Bafana prepare to play their most important match since winning the 1996 African Nations Cup final against Tunisia on home soil, when they face Nigeria in a vital 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier at the ERPU Stadium import Elizabeth on Saturday at 15:00.
McCarthy is doubtful for the match with a groin injury, but Tinkler, who played 48 times for his country, knows all about the club versus country tug-of-war.
Tinkler has come to the Blackburn Rovers striker's defence after mounting media criticism of McCarthy and allegations that he is not patriotic.
In an interview, Tinkler revealed for the first time how he was sacked by Barnsley after playing for Bafana in the 2002 African Nations Cup in Mali.
Said Tinkler: "Labelling McCarthy as unpatriotic is nonsense. Every player dreams of representing Bafana. Benni is no different. I know that for a fact."
Tinkler has first hand experience of how European clubs manipulate players when they are called up for friendly games and for big tournaments such as the African Nations Cup finals.
Noot to play
Tinkler's loyalty to Bafana cost him his job with English club Barnsley in 2002.
Tinkler was told by Barnsley not to play for his country in the 2002 African Nations Cup finals in Mali.
Said Tinkler: "I ignored them as I wanted to play for my country. Barnsley told me that should I decided to play in Mali for Bafana then I would be sacked. I did play and was honoured by being made captain for the tournament. But I was given my clearance when I returned to England after Mali. At 32 my career was over. I could not find another club in England."
Tinkler ended his career in the Portuguese Second Division with Caldas. "That was not how I wanted to end my playing career, but I had to accept what I could get."
He left Caldas to rejoin BidVest Wits in 2005 as player/coach in the National First Division. He is now assistant coach to the Students head coach Roger de Sa in the Premier Soccer League.
Tinkler never ran to the media complaining about Barnsley's treatment of him.
Afcon finals
"I don't blame Barnsley. They were fighting relegation from the Championship League. But they have principles and were relegated at the end of 2002. They were paying my salary and told me they could not accept me being away for six weeks during January and February, which is the most critical stage of the English season. I really was sad when they were relegated. I sympathise with Benni's position at Rovers."
But Tinkler said he had similar problems when playing in the Italian Seria A for Cagliari and on Portugal for Vitoria Setubal. "The problem is with Caf and the people who organise the Afcon finals. Why can't they schedule the Afcon tournament the same as the World Cup and Euro finals every four years, instead of every two years and bang in the middle of the European season. "
Tinkler stresses that if the Afcon finals were staged in the European off-season more top African players would emerge and be more willing to grace the continent's biggest event."
He stated the fact the Afcon finals are staged in the middle of the European season upsets clubs and puts players under incredible pressure. But it seems Caf are deaf to players requests."
He said he fully understood McCarthy's problem. "Benni is by far our best player and our top striker. We need him for 2010 and for next year's Confederations Cup. He deserves like other top stars more consideration and understanding.
- SAPA
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