Bad boy Benni reforms

2008-09-07 11:40

Port Elizabeth - Bafana Bafana bad boy Benni McCarthy revelled in his new role as stand-in captain despite the national team losing 1-0 against Nigeria in a crunch 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier played at the ERPU Stadium on Saturday.

When asked if he wanted the role on a permanent basis, McCarthy showed a new maturity and signs he had at last shed his so called "bad boy" image.

Said McCarthy: "I am no longer the bad boy but now you can call me the good boy of Bafana." Said a smiling Blackburn Rovers striker: "This was the biggest day of my soccer career being chosen to be captain of my country in a big match against a big side. Would I want to be captain again? Sure but not at the expense of my best friend and Rovers teammate Aaron Mokoena who is a phenomenal captain for Bafana."

A victory too

Mokoena was suspended for Saturday's clash and head coach Joel Santana made an inspired choice in McCarthy who won the hearts of the near capacity crowd on the field and media off it.

Said McCarthy: "We should have but did not win. I enjoyed the responsibility. For once I had to take responsibility on the field and be a leader and I was proud our performance. But I believe that Aaron is still the best man to captain Bafana. I would gladly play under him anywhere anytime." McCarthy again pledged his loyalty to Bafana and stated publicly he wanted to be part of the 2010 World cup squad.

Said McCarthy: "We lost today but we won a great victory psychologically in that we played one of the best sides in Africa off the part. They know and we know it too. Under coach Santana we are on the right track for 2010. The spirit being built is fantastic."

But McCarthy admitted the defeat which means Bafana fail to qualify for the 2010 showpiece in Angola was hard to swallow.

He said: "We are all down about being eliminated from playing in Angola. But we as players are looking on the bright side. We now have more time to prepare and produce a competitive side for the World Cup in 2010. This defeat may have been a blessing in disguise. It is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new chapter for Bafana. There were more positives to come out of this match than there were negatives.

- SAPA